Chelsea Recreation Center

Chelsea Recreation Center
Alternative names Chelsea Rec Center
General information
Location Chelsea, Manhattan, New York City
Address 430 West 25th Street[1]
Coordinates 40°44′54″N 74°00′07″W / 40.74838°N 74.0020°W / 40.74838; -74.0020Coordinates: 40°44′54″N 74°00′07″W / 40.74838°N 74.0020°W / 40.74838; -74.0020
Construction started 1973[2]
Completed May 11, 2004
Cost $22.4 million[3]
Owner City of New York
Technical details
Floor count 6[2]
Floor area 56,500 square feet (5,250 m2)[2]
Design and construction
Architecture firm Koutsomitis Architects[2]

The Chelsea Recreation Center is a community center and athletic facility operated by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation in Chelsea, Manhattan. At 56,500 square feet (5,250 m2), the building is one of the largest neighborhood recreation centers in New York City, containing a 25-yard six lane pool, basketball court, fitness rooms, dance studios, game rooms, and a computer resource center.[1] The center hosts a wide range of community-oriented classes and events, many of which are free to youth and older adults.[4]

History

In 1964 the previous Chelsea Recreation Center, the former Chelsea Bathhouse at 407 West 28th Street, was demolished to make way for the construction of the Morgan Annex postal facility.[5][6] Construction began on a replacement recreation center on June 3, 1974, but was abandoned on January 19, 1976 due to the New York City fiscal crisis of 1975.[5] Windows were sealed over with concrete and steel girders left exposed, with an air conditioner unit remaining on the roof for when construction resumed.[7] Completion of the facility was a consistent request at neighborhood meetings over the next 25 years, and neighborhood groups even hired a consultant and an architect to help make their case to the city.[2][3]

When New York City experienced an economic upswing in the early 2000s financing was made available to complete the recreation center. On June 7, 2001 Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, state senator Thomas Duane, and city council members including Peter Vallone, Jr. and Christine Quinn swung gold sledgehammers against a brick wall to mark the resumption of construction.[7] A five-panel mural consisting of 175,000 tiles based on dolphin photographs by Tsuneo Nakamura was installed next to the pool as a gift by the Italian Trade Commission and Bisazza Mosaico.[3][8] The center was completed at a final cost of $22.4 million on May 11, 2004, and was inaugurated by Mayor Michael Bloomberg at a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the center's gymnasium.[2]

Membership

Membership is free for children under age 18. Adult membership currently costs $150 per year, though on January 30, 2012 the New York City Council announced plans to institute lower-cost memberships for young adults ages 18-24.[4] Members over age 62 pay $25 per year. Improving public health is seen as a priority of the Michael Bloomberg administration, justifying city-run community recreation centers with fees below those of private health clubs.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 "City of New York Parks & Recreation". Retrieved 24 February 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Berger, Joseph (12 May 2004). "Finished, Finally! Recreation Center Planned in the 70's Opens in Chelsea". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 February 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 "Chelsea Rec Center finally opens its doors". The Villager. 12 May 2004. Retrieved 24 February 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 Foderaro, Lisa W. (15 February 2013). "Public Recreation Centers Looking to Stem Exodus". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 February 2013.
  5. 1 2 Amateau, Albert (17 December 2003). "Chelsea Recreation Center slated to open in April". The Villager. Retrieved 24 February 2013.
  6. ↑ Minn, Michael. "Public Baths". Retrieved 24 February 2013.
  7. 1 2 "AFTER 25 YEARS, CONSTRUCTION RESUMES AT CHELSEA RECREATION CENTER". The Daily Plant. 11 June 2001. Retrieved 24 February 2013.
  8. ↑ "Chelsea Recreation Center Mosaics". NYC Parks. Retrieved 24 February 2013.

External links

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