City Officials Celebrate $16 Million Renovation Of Historic
Park Slope Armory as State-Of-The-Art Recreation Center

Prospect Park YMCA Selected as Finalist to Run Facility

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 today joined Councilmember Bill de Blasio and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz to host an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony 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 were Department of Design and Construction Commissioner (DDC) David J. Burney and Prospect Park YMCA Executive Director Sean Andrews.

"New York City has always been visionary in melding the old with the new," said Deputy Mayor Gibbs, "and this effort is a hallmark to the inventiveness that defines this administration."

"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."

"We’re delighted to be able to be a good neighbor to the community," said DHS Commissioner Hess. “The Armory’s full potential will be utilized, as it will serve the greater community and continue to help the women at the Park Slope Shelter."

"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 Councilmember de Blasio. "The YMCA, with its firm roots in the community and record of high-quality programming, will help us to realize the longtime goal."

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, an area of the garrison 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, badminton, boxing, fencing, judo, table tennis, tae kwon do, handball, weightlifting, wrestling and aerobics. The YMCA has proposed operating programs year-round, seven days a week, from 7:00AM to 11:00PM each day.

"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 Borough President Markowitz. "As a resident of Park Slope, I know the importance of providing Brooklynites of all athletic abilities with a safe, affordable and convenient place to exercise both mind and body."

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.

"This project is a creative example of the adaptive re-use of a distinctive facility that had long been under-utilized," said DDC Commissioner Burney. "This grand armory will re-open as an all-weather sports facility to serve the needs of Brooklyn schools and others in this community."

The YMCA has been selected as the finalist to be the service provider and currently is in negotiations with the City to operate, manage and maintain the facility. As part of the agreement with the City, the YMCA would generate revenue through donations, sponsorships, events or fees for the track area, memberships, and fees for the use of room space that will support the overall operations of the Armory including its community programs.

 "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."

The YMCA of Greater New York is a community service organization which promotes positive values through programs that build spirit, mind and body, welcoming all people, with a focus on youth. The YMCA of Greater New York serves 350,000 people each year through 19 full-service branches throughout the five boroughs. The Prospect Park Branch is one of six YMCAs in Brooklyn, and has been building strong kids, families and communities in Park Slope since 1891.