Contact: Sunny Mindel/ Edward Skyler (212) 788-2958
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, joined by Deputy Mayor for Education and Human Services Ninfa Segarra and various Bronx community leaders, today participated in a ceremonial groundbreaking for the new Hunts Point Youth Recreation Center that will be built adjacent to the Manida Street ball fields in The Bronx.
"Today's groundbreaking for this new Youth Recreation Center is great news for the young adults of the Hunts Point community," said Mayor Giuliani. "This center will provide area youth with a place to play volleyball and basketball, run track, perform in a dance recital or theatrical production, and engage in positive activities in their own communities. I want to thank Deputy Mayor Segarra and members of Community Board 2 for their efforts in making today's event a reality, and I look forward to cutting the ribbon that will officially open this new Youth Recreation Center next Fall."
Located at 765 Manida Street, between Spofford and Lafayette Avenues, the new 15,000-square-foot facility, which is expected to cost approximately $5 million, will include a mezzanine level track, a multi-purpose recreation room for volleyball and gymnastics, and a stage on the main level for theatrical performances or dance recitals. In addition, funding has been provided for a sitting area, an outdoor basketball court, and landscaping around the Youth Recreation Center. Construction on the center, which will be overseen by Deputy Mayor Segarra and the City's Department of Design and Construction, began this week and is expected to be completed by Fall 2000.
The adjacent Manida ball fields will not be disturbed during construction of the Youth Recreation Center, which will allow community residents to use the fields throughout the year. It is expected that an operator for the new center will be chosen in accordance with the City's procurement policies, sometime next year, prior to the center's opening.
"This center represents the fulfillment of the City's commitment to build a new Hunts Point for all its residents," said Deputy Mayor Segarra. "This new Youth Recreation Center will serve to create more opportunities and build better lives for the youth of the Hunts Point community."
The Mayor was also joined at today's groundbreaking by Department of Design and Construction Commissioner Kenneth R. Holden, Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Henry J. Stern, Department of Juvenile Justice Commissioner Tino Hernandez, Council Members Pedro G. Espada and Kenneth K. Fisher, Community Board 2 Chair Marta Rivera, Community Board 2 First Vice Chair Sister Thomas, Community Board 2 District Manager John Robert, The Point Executive Director Paul Lipson, and area residents.