Crown Heights

Five youth sports & education orgs named for Bedford-Union Armory’s proposed rec center

May 2, 2017 Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Developer BFC Partners and non-profit CAMBA have named five youth sports and educational organizations to provide community programming at the Bedford-Union Armory’s proposed recreation center. Rendering courtesy of BFC Partners
Share this:

The controversial development plan for Bedford-Union Armory is winding its way towards the city’s land use review process. Ahead of this, developer BFC Partners and non-profit CAMBA have named named five youth sports and educational organizations to provide community programming at the Armory, envisioned as a mixed-use development with recreational facilities, office space and affordable housing in Crown Heights.

The programs will include free and low-cost basketball, soccer, swimming and tennis programs, the organizations said in a release.

All rec center programming will be overseen by non-profit CAMBA. The groups include Team First, New Heights Youth, Central Brooklyn Soccer Club, Imagine Swimming and the Kings County Tennis League. All programming will be free or discounted for Crown Heights’ residents, the developer says. Other operators are expected to join in the near future.

“We are committed to creating much-needed recreational space at the Armory and providing free and low-cost youth sports programming to thousands of Crown Heights families,” Don Capoccia, principal of BFC Partners, said in a release. “We are excited to continue working with CAMBA and other local stakeholders to make the Armory a win for the entire Crown Heights community.”

Subscribe to our newsletters

“The Bedford-Union Armory represents an incredible opportunity to connect more Crown Heights families with affordable youth basketball, soccer, swimming and tennis programs,” said Joanne M. Oplustil, president and CEO of CAMBA. “High-quality sports programming helps young people succeed in school and build important life skills, and CAMBA looks forward to making that a reality right here at the Armory.”

Bedford-Union Armory’s planned 67,000-square-foot recreational center, if approved, would include three multi-sport courts, three hardwood basketball courts, an indoor athletic field and a 25-meter competitive swimming pool.

Under the plan, which has generated much controversy in a neighborhood fearing gentrification, new commercial office space will be offered at discounted rates for local small businesses and non-profits. The Armory will also include a 330-unit rental housing building with 50 percent affordable housing, as well as new condominiums, of which 20 percent will be affordable to middle-income homeowners. Local residents have pushed for 100 percent affordable housing.

 

 


Leave a Comment


Leave a Comment