It’s Good To Be Assembly Speaker…Edenwald To Get State-of-the-Art Rec Center

MAYOR DE BLASIO, SPEAKER HEASTIE ANNOUNCE STATE-OF-THE-ART RECREATIONAL FACILITY COMING TO EDENWALD

Artist rendering of the planned 50,000 square foot facility to include an aquatics center with two swimming pools, wellness center, full-length basketball court, indoor track, gymnasium and programming.

Mayor Bill de Blasio, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President Maria Torres-Springer and local elected officials announced the selection of the YMCA of Greater New York to construct a state-of-the-art recreational facility in the Edenwald neighborhood of the Bronx.

“For years people in this community have been calling for a place they can bring their families to get healthy and have fun,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “This 50,000 square foot YMCA will serve thousands of Bronx residents, including many families living in NYCHA.”

Calling the Edenwald rec center an investment in the future of the Bronx, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said, “This new YMCA community center will touch the lives of thousands of families in the Bronx and help create a stronger and safer community for everyone. For decades, developing this type of community center has been a dream of mine that I and others have pursued tirelessly. Seeing it become a reality means so much because I know what a difference it will make to our neighborhoods and our families. This center will offer a fun and safe environment for our kids to grow and learn and create new jobs that pay fair and living wages.”

Speaker Heastie thanked Mayor de Blasio, Borough President Diaz Jr, Councilman King and community leaders for coming together to make the project a reality after so many years.

Built alongside NYCHA’s Edenwald Houses, the new recreational facility will provide thousands of low-income families with a state-of-the-art community hub, including two swimming pools, a full length basketball court, gym facilities, an indoor track, a wellness center, a childcare facility and multi-purpose rooms.

The facility will also feature a full suite of YMCA programming for all ages, including:

• After school educational programs
• Youth day camps and holiday camps during school breaks
• A teen center
• Swimming lessons for all ages and skill levels
• Diabetes prevention programs
• Family programs that encourage parental participation in recreation and health
• Personal training and group exercise classes, such as aerobics, step classes yoga, Zumba, spin, yoga and martial arts
• Senior adult programs, including health and wellness programming, arthritis water exercise and social activities
• Civics classes and other programs for new Americans

The Edenwald YMCA will create 101 new construction jobs, as well as 100 new permanent jobs that pay a living wage. As part of the Administration’s efforts to expand economic opportunities for people in the Bronx, the YMCA has also committed to a 35 percent minority- and women-owned business enterprises (MWBE) contracting goal for design and construction, and will engage in local hiring efforts through NYCEDC’s HireNYC program.

The project will also include 200 new parking spaces.

Construction on the Edenwald recreational facility (near 1250 East 229th Street) is expected to begin in fall 2018 and be completed in early 2020.