PROSPECT PARK -- Department of Homeless Services (DHS) Commissioner Robert V. Hess, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Linda Gibbs and Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Robert C. Lieber yesterday joined Councilman Bill de Blasio and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz to unveil the recreation center at the newly-renovated Park Slope Armory in Brooklyn.

The formerly underutilized armory drill floor has been transformed into a multipurpose athletic and educational center to serve the local Park Slope community. The YMCA of Greater New York has been selected as the finalist to operate and provide programming at the recreational facility.

The $16 million renovation project was funded by $8 million from the Office of the Mayor, $6 million from the City Council, and $2 million from the Brooklyn Borough President’s Office. Also in attendance at the event was Prospect Park YMCA Executive Director Sean Andrews.

“The Park Slope facility, much like the rest of the City’s armories, is rich with history and an important tie to our cultural and sociological past,� said Deputy Mayor Lieber. “Now, inside these impressive walls is a state-of-the-art recreational facility that New Yorkers will enjoy for generations.�

“Since 2004 I have been working with the city, Borough President Marty Markowitz and community members to transform this unique but underused space into a stunning neighborhood recreational facility,� said de Blasio.

The Park Slope Armory, which opened in 1895, has two distinct parts: a drill floor, which is approximately 50,000-70,000 square feet, and a garrison, which once housed offices. Since the 1980s, part of the building has been used as a 70-bed dormitory for homeless women, which currently is managed by the Church Avenue Merchants Block Association (CAMBA).

The size of the old drill floor allows for the renovated facility to be used for a variety of programming purposes as proposed by the YMCA, including adult fitness, a teen center, an after school program and day camp, as well as for other youth and family programs, community meetings and recreation. In addition to track and field, the facility can accommodate youth and adult sports like basketball, volleyball, tennis, gymnastics, martial arts and more.

“The transformation of the Park Slope Armory into one of the city’s largest community recreation and education centers is the culmination of a dream I’ve had since before being elected borough president,� said Markowitz.

The project includes renovation of the interior of the drill floor area, including installation of gym equipment; a new scoreboard; an upgrade of the mechanical, electrical, lighting and plumbing systems; new balcony seating; new restrooms; and renovation and painting of the ceiling.

“We look forward to the possibility of extending our YMCA’s programs and services to even more of the Brooklyn community through the Armory,� said Prospect Park YMCA Executive Director Andrews. “The armory would be a center of community life that reflects the broad and diverse programming of the Prospect Park YMCA, with something for residents of all ages.�

© Brooklyn Daily Eagle 2007
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