The Red Hook Recreation Center at 155 Bay St. unveiled its new and improved gymnasium with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 28. Kids counted down from five as leaders from the Center, Council Woman Alexa Aviles, NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue, and others all cut the ribbon together.
Renovations include a new maplewood floor, a new scoreboard, wall padding, rubber flooring, paint, and decals. Additionally, there are expected to be new locker rooms at some point this summer.
This project was made possible thanks to a $115,000 anonymous donation through the Adopt-a-Park program.
“From basketball and volleyball to holiday celebrations, the Red Hook Recreation Center gym is beloved by local athletes and also acts as a gathering space for the community,” said Donoghue. “We are so grateful for the generous donation to give this gymnasium a much-needed makeover so it can continue to serve the residents of Red Hook.”
The basketball court looks great and it feels great under your feet with a little more give to it now than it had before the renovations. It is a dramatic upgrade as the basketball court had some chipped paint and was worn down after getting lots of use.
I have seen a lot of basketball courts (both indoors and outdoors) throughout Brooklyn and in my opinion, the renovated gym at the Rec Center is one of the nicest ones. The floor actually looks a little bit like the floor at the Barclays Center. The renovations are great for the community.
“We have an incredible staff here at the Rec Center, whom we love and appreciate,” Aviles said. They work so hard and this is such a gorgeous space. We will be hearing the sound of sneakers squeaking and kids playing… We want the entire space to be as beautiful as all of you and we’re going to keep building the Rec Center until it is everything you can imagine it to be!”
