THE BEGINNING TO A BEAUTIFUL UPGRADE

Groundbreaking Ceremony at Fred Roberts Recreation Center

Los Angeles - The Department of Recreation and Parks joined Councilwoman Jan Perry (9th District) and local residents to celebrate the start of construction on a new and much-needed recreation center at Fred Roberts in South Los Angeles on Thursday, July 9, 2009.

The existing recreation center no longer fills the needs of the local growing community. More space and diversity is needed and the new center will provide just that to its residents. The building is designed to provide movement and excitement with angular elevations and an innovative floor plan.

Features to the recreation center will include a regulation sized gymnasium, office space for staff and ADA complaint restrooms. The main building, which will function as the recreation center will be approximately 9,200-square feet and will be used mainly for athletics such as basketball, volleyball and other court activities. There will be another smaller 2,400-square-foot building, which will be used for child care and community services, attached to the main building.

The project is expected to be complete in Fall of 2010. Fred Roberts Recreation Center is located at 4700 South Honduras Street, Los Angeles 90011. For more information on this project or the Department, please visit our website at http://www.laparks.org/ or call (213) 202-2700.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jane Kolb: (213) 202-2694

A QUICK & EFFICIENT UPGRADE

Groundbreaking for Shatto Improvement Project

Los Angeles - The Department of Recreation and Parks broke ground for the Shatto Park Improvement Project on Monday, July 13, 2009. Councilmember Tom LaBonge, Commission President Barry Sanders, community leaders and residents gathered at the outdoor volleyball court to celebrate the start of much-needed improvements at Shatto Recreation Center.

The Department's Assistant General Manager Vicki Israel said it herself, "Shatto Recreation gets a lot of use. It's a popular community institution." Located in the Mid-Wilshire district of the City of Los Angeles, Shatto's surrounding community has the highest population density of all neighborhoods in Los Angeles. The 5.4 acre park provides a variety of services and programs, which are heavily utilized by the surrounding community. There are currently 55 youth participating in Shatto's summer camp and the basketball league has over 240 kids registered.

The Department of Recreation and Parks determined that in order for Shatto Recreation Center to continue being a valued community facility, improvements were needed to provide additional recreational opportunities. When completed the improvement project will provide park patrons with a more extensive use of the park space.

The project will include the installation of new universally accessible play equipment with security lighting, outdoor fitness equipment for adults and cushioned athletic surfacing for the outdoor basketball and volleyball courts. Drought tolerant plants will also be planted throughout the park.

The improvement project will take 6 months to complete. The $685,000 cost will be funded by Quimby. The Department's Planning and Construction Division will be managing and constructing the project.

Shatto Recreation Center is located at 3191 West 4th Street, Los Angeles 90020. For more information on this project or the Department of Recreation and Parks, please visit our website at http://www.laparks.org/ or call (213) 202-2700.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jane Kolb: (213) 202-2694

Amy A. Garcia: (213) 202-2689

THE BEGINNING OF A BEAUTIFUL TRANSFORMATION

Groundbreaking for Fred Roberts Recreation Center

Los Angeles - The Department of Recreation and Parks held a Groundbreaking Ceremony for Fred Roberts Recreation Center on Thursday, July 9, 2009. Councilwoman Jan Perry, City Engineer Gary Lee Moore, Department staff and community members were all on hand to celebrate the start of construction on a new and much-needed recreation center at the South Los Angeles park.

The existing recreation center at Fred Roberts no longer fills the needs of the local and growing community. More space and diversity is needed and the new center will provide just that. Features to the new recreation center will include, a regulation sized gymnasium, office space for staff, ADA compliant restrooms and storage space. The gymnasium will have a multi-use sports floor, which can be used for basketball, volleyball and other indoor sports.

The Bureau of Engineering will be managing the project and AWI Builders, Inc. will be constructing the recreation center. The $3.8 million project will be funded by Proposition K. The recreation center is expected to be completed in September 2010.

Fred Roberts Recreation Center is located at 4700 South Honduras Street, Los Angeles 90011. Fred Roberts provides youth sports leagues (e.g. basketball, t-ball, soccer, etc.), pre-school, an after-school program and a variety of classes (e.g. aerobics, dance, arts and crafts, etc.). For more information on this location or the Department, please visit our website at http://www.laparks.org/ or call (213) 202-2700.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Jane Kolb: (213) 202-2694

Amy A. Garcia: (213) 202-2689