Wellness and Events Center

{{Short description|Sports venue in Newark, New Jersey}}

{{Infobox stadium

| name = Wellness and Events Center

| nickname =

| logo_image =

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| image = NJIT-WEC 10.jpg

| caption = The WEC in volleyball configuration.

| image_map = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=250|zoom=15|type=point}}

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| location = 100 Lock Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102

| coordinates = {{coord|40.7453|-74.1830|type:railwaystation_region:US-NJ|display=inline,title}}

| broke_ground = November 12, 2015

| built =

| opened = November 10, 2017{{cite web|url=https://njithighlanders.com/facilities/njit-wellness-and-events-center/129|title=NJIT Wellness and Events Center|publisher=NJIT|accessdate=August 2, 2022}}

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| operator = New Jersey Institute of Technology

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| cost = US$110 million{{cite web|title=RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF TR USTEES OF NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, 2015 SERIES A|url=http://www.njit.edu/about/boards/trustees/pdf/2015/2015-03-08-bond-resolution-2015-series-A.pdf|publisher=NJIT.edu|access-date=12 November 2015}}

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| capacity = 3,500, as sports arena

4,000, as event center

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| dimensions = {{convert|220000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}

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| tenants = NJIT Highlanders basketball (2017–18 to present)

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The Joel and Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center (WEC) is a 220,000 sq ft. sports and recreation facility that includes a 3,500 seat basketball arena in Newark, New Jersey. It was built at a cost of $102 million by the New Jersey Institute of Technology.{{Cite news |last=Prunty |first=Brendan |date=2015-02-20 |title=N.J.I.T. Will Get an Arena, but It Still Needs a Home |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/20/sports/ncaabasketball/njit-will-get-an-arena-but-it-still-needs-a-home.html |access-date=2024-01-31 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}{{cite web|title=NJIT Breaks Grounds On a Major New Building: The Wellness and Events Center|url=http://www.njit.edu/features/sceneandheard/wec.php|publisher=NJIT.edu|access-date=12 November 2015}} The Wellness and Events Center is the home court of the NCAA Division I American East Conference, NJIT Highlanders. The WEC replaced the former arena of the Highlanders, the Fleisher Center. The new arena broke ground on November 12, 2015, and opened in time for the 2017–18 basketball season.{{cite web|last=Newman|first=Josh|date=November 12, 2015|title=NJIT breaks ground on $100M Wellness and Events Center|url=http://www.app.com/story/sports/college/2015/11/12/njit-breaks-ground-100m-wellness-and-events-center/75609258/|work=Asbury Park Press|access-date=12 November 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2017/11/we_dont_have_anything_like_this_njit_unveils_110m.html|title='We don't have anything like this.' NJIT unveils $110M athletic center|website=NJ.com|date=November 11, 2017|last=Yi|first=Karen|access-date=December 26, 2017}}

On October 6 2023, NJIT renamed the building to the "Joel and Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center" to honor the contributions of former NJIT president, Joel Bloom.{{Cite web |title=NJIT's Wellness and Events Center Dedicated to Joel and Diane Bloom |url=https://news.njit.edu/njits-wellness-and-events-center-dedicated-joel-and-diane-bloom |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=NJIT News |language=en}}