Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa taking the first basketball shot in Lafayette's new gymnasium.

HOLA, LAFAYETTE PARK RECREATION CENTER

Celebrating a new state-of-the-art facility and a powerful partnership

Los Angeles - The Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP), Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) and the Everychild Foundation celebrated the Grand Opening of the new $9.8 million Lafayette Recreation Center in Central Los Angeles on Thursday, February 24, 2011.

The new 15,000-square-foot facility was designed by the award winning firm Kanner Architects and features brand new multipurpose classroom spaces, a technology lab and a state-of-the-art gymnasium. The eco-friendly center is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certified - Green Building and is designed to be energy efficient. The gymnasium uses only natural light during the day and solar lighting is used throughout the building. The Lafayette Park Recreation Center project was funded by Proposition K, Quimby fees and a generous gift of $700,000+ from HOLA.

Lafayette Park's new Recreation Center is a result of the historic public-private partnership between RAP and HOLA. RAP and HOLA have formed an innovative partnership and are both dedicated to supporting local community needs. Lafayette's transformation was created with the goal of providing a versatile campus that would provide exceptional academic, arts, recreation and athletic programs to the surrounding underserved community. The new Recreation Center will house joint RAP and HOLA programs, covering a myriad of activities benefiting youth and their families from the local community.

The opening of Lafayette marked an important milestone for RAP and the City of Los Angeles. Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa, City Controller Wendy Greuel, Councilmember Herb J. Wesson and City Engineer Gary Lee Moore were all on hand to help celebrate and cut the ceremonial red ribbon.

Lafayette Park Recreation Center is located at 625 South Lafayette Park Place in Los Angeles 90057. RAP is very proud to provide the Lafayette community with a new Recreation Center that will increase recreational opportunities and positive programming. Thank you, HOLA, you are a great friend and an awesome partner!!!