HYDE PARK — Mayor Rahm Emanuel and city officials ushered in Oakland’s first arts and recreation center on Friday.
The $17.5 million rec center will include a gymnasium, galleries and other amenities at the northeastern edge of Ellis Park at 35th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue.
“Today marks the culmination of a decade of planning and advocacy for the arts and recreation center in Ellis Park,” said Ald. Will Burns (4th). “As we look to reduce violence and provide young people with alternatives to the streets, we have to create positive alternatives.”
The new facility will include two basketball courts, an indoor pool, a fitness center and theater and performance spaces in a 30,0000-square-foot building built on Park District and Chicago Public Schools land.
“For too long, there was no public indoor swimming pool between Hyde Park and the South Loop – that will end when we finally cut the ribbon on this new center,” Emanuel said.
Development of the new rec center is led by the Park District and The Community Builders, which is redeveloping the former Ida B. Wells Homes as the Oakwood Shores development.
The Chicago Housing Authority is contributing $8 million towards the construction, with the remainder being funded through $4.3 million from the Bronzeville TIF District and $5.2 million in new market tax credits.
The project was first announced in 2013, with an expected ground breaking in 2014.
Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2015.
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