Rebuild Philadelphia celebrated the groundbreaking of Lawncrest Recreation Center, 6000 Rising Sun Ave., which is set to receive a $23.4 million renovation.
The Rebuild initiative is an investment of more than $500 million in 72 neighborhood parks, recreation centers and libraries across Philadelphia.
Rebuild selected Community Ventures, a nonprofit real estate development and property management organization, to manage the project. TN Ward Company is the general contractor.
The project received additional funding from the Redevelopment Capital Assistance Program totaling $2 million, and the state Department of Community and Economic Development totaling $50,000 awarded to Community Ventures.
The project will feature new doors and windows; a roof replacement; exterior lights; masonry repairs; construction of a building addition that will consist of a half-court basketball/volleyball court; ADA upgrades; new restrooms; new heating and air conditioning; new fire alarm and fire protection system; new security camera system; new interior paint; new furniture; new site signage; new playground safety surface and equipment; tennis courts; a soccer mini-pitch; and new landscaping.
The Lawncrest Recreation Center consists of 17.4 acres. The existing 21,000 square-foot structure will be gutted and renovated for residents to enjoy safely.
Mayor Cherelle Parker advocated for the project when she represented the 9th Councilmanic District and noted the plans were finalized only after community input.
Parker was joined by City Councilman Anthony Phillips; state Rep. Anthony Bellmon; Aparna Palantino, director of the Capital Program Office; Susan Slawson, commissioner of the city Department of Parks and Recreation; Troy Hannigan, director of development at Community Ventures; and Lawncrest Community Association board member Heather Miller.
“We are finally here, Lawncrest,” Bellmon said.
The budget was $5 million when plans were unveiled in 2018. COVID and a lengthy design process delayed groundbreaking.
Hannigan said nobody would have known a difference at the rec center with just a $5 million upgrade. He pointed out that the crowd was sitting on what will soon be where the addition will be built for a volleyball court and half basketball court.
Slawson said young people deserve a place that feels like a “home away from home.” She’s already looking forward to the grand reopening.
“That’s going to be the party, that ribbon cutting,” she said.
Palantino brought some more good news to the neighborhood, telling the crowd that Lawncrest Library will reopen later this fall after $4.5 million in renovations. ••
