RARITAN TWP. -- A $1.9 million fitness center expansion will be built by adding a room onto the 11/12 building near the school's Field House, according to the district's acting business administrator, Gymlyn Corbin.

Corbin said in an email to the Democrat that the center will be used as a teaching station for physical education classes and for use by athletes and the general student population after school. It would be a total of 6,700 square feet.

The addition is estimated to cost $1.9 million. Documents on the project indicate that the cost does not include the cost of technology equipment such as computers, projectors and rack equipment, fitness equipment, furniture and storage room equipment.

Flooring systems would also be purchased separately as part of a separate equipment package.

To provide "adequate building access" four parking spots would be eliminated from the existing lot by the 11/12 building.

The fitness center expansion was the topic of a last-minute addition to the written agenda to the Hunterdon Central board's Jan. 31 meeting. An item dealing with facilities renovations prompted complaints from two board members, who claimed they and the public were not made aware of the item's inclusion.

Sharon Ransavage, wife of board member Paul, alleges several members, including her husband, were not made aware of the addition of vote to approve spending for a new athletic training room. Ransavage is an attorney and former county prosecutor.

Ransavage said her husband Paul came home after the board's rescheduled Jan. 31 meeting stating that he "couldn't believe that the item was added to the agenda."

She said both he and fellow board member Lori Blutfeld were "surprised" at the item's inclusion to the meeting agenda without knowing about its inclusion beforehand. Both voted against the item at the meeting.

It's likely that the matter will come up for discussion at the next board meeting on Monday, Feb. 23. That will be held at 7 p.m. in the school library.

Christine Lee may be reached at clee@njnpublishing.com. Follow her on Twitter @Cleespot. Find The Hunterdon County Democrat on Facebook.