Page 4 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • November 21, 2012 Mahwah Castle Fun Center facility will not be built by Frank J. McMahon The owner of the recreational facility known as the Castle Fun Center received the approval of the Mahwah Planning Board in May 2011 and the Ramsey Board of Adjustment in November 2010, but has decided not to build the project. James Jaworski, the attorney for the owner, Brian Leentjes, has confirmed that his client has decided to use his capital for other projects, such as a driving range in Orange County. Jaworski said Leentjes does not plan to build anything else on the 15-acre property because he intends to sell it. Leentjes has operated a similar facility in Chester, New York for 18 years. The New York location includes space for roller skating, a laser maze, rock climbing, laser tag, an arcade, go karts, and seasonal mini golf and batting cages. On May 23, 2011, the township’s planning board voted 6-2 to approve the construction of an access driveway from Constantine Drive into the site, which is located in Ramsey. Ramsey officials had already approved a site plan for the recreational facility, which would have included a miniature golf course built around a castle motif, an outdoor battery operated go kart track, and a 6,550 square foot building for laser maze tag games and a video game arcade where a snack bar would have been located. The two-way driveway to the site would have extended from Constantine Drive in Mahwah, a one-way road that leads to the Home Depot property and is one of the two accesses to that property on Route 17. Direct access from Route 17 to the Castle Fun Center site was not possible because that site is 15 feet lower than the highway. Several members of the planning board voiced con- cerns about the safety of the access to the site. They also expressed disappointment that the New Jersey Department of Transportation had refused to redesign the intersection of Route 17 and Constantine Drive to improve safety at that location. The Ramsey Board of Adjustment had found that the recreational facility was well suited for the site since it borders a railroad, wetlands, and the highway. That board also found that the site was unique because of its location, and determined that concerns about traffic safety and noise had all been addressed by Leentjes. The Ramapo College Chorale will present “An American Holiday: The Civil War Years” on Sunday, Dec. 2. This 4 p.m. performance will be held at the Old Paramus Reformed Church located at 660 East Glen Avenue in Ridgewood. The performance will bring life to the music of the Civil War era and celebrate this transcendent time in U.S. history. The candlelight performance will close with holiday music sung in homes and camps from Maine to the heart of Dixie. The ensemble and guest musicians will be directed by Lisa Lutter, associate professor of vocal music perfor- Ramapo College Chorale to perform mance, and accompanied by pianist Itay Goren, adjunct professor of music. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for Ramapo College students. The ticket price includes entrance to the Schoolhouse Museum, where the Ridgewood Historical Society is currently presenting “The Collection,” a 60-year preservation effort focused on helping current and future generations learn about the past. To purchase tickets, visit http://www.ramapo.edu/berriecenter/ or call the box office at (201) 684-7844. For details contact Lisa Lutter at llutter@ramapo.edu. On Tuesday, Nov. 27 at 7:30 p.m., the Church of the Immaculate Conception at 900 Darlington Avenue in Mahwah will sponsor an evening of reflection in preparation for Advent with Lectio Divina. Lectio Divina (Latin Church to host evening of reflection for “divine reading”) is an ancient practice of prayer and contemplation of the Scriptures. For more information, call (201) 327-1276 or contact Jennifer Edwards at Jennifer. EdwardsICC@gmail.com.