South Philadelphia’s Vare Recreation Center, one of 72 sites selected under Mayor Jim Kenney’s Rebuild initiative, received exciting news last week.  

The Philadelphia Eagles, through the National Football League Foundation Grassroots Program, and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) awarded $250,000 to the Vare Recreation Center project to install a synthetic turf field for generations of young athletes and community members to play.

The funds from this unique partnership between the City of Philadelphia’s Rebuild initiative and non-profit partner, Make The World Better, founded by Eagles Legend Connor Barwin, will join the millions of dollars of investment coming to Vare through the Rebuild Initiative and support the investment towards the new field.

​​“Delivering high quality public spaces where young people can play, learn, and thrive is at the heart of our vision for Rebuild,” said Mayor Jim Kenney.  “I’m grateful for our many partners in this vision. The investment from the Eagles, NFL Foundation, and LISC will enhance our ability to deliver a recreation space that will serve the Vare community for years to come.”

“On behalf of the Make the World Better Foundation, I want to extend my appreciation and gratitude to the Philadelphia Eagles, NFL Foundation Grassroots Program, and LISC for awarding us with this grant,” said Eagles Legend Connor Barwin. “It’s because of grants like this that we are able to work with the community to create safe environments for our youth to gather and build stronger neighborhoods across Philadelphia.”

In addition to the new field, residents can expect a brand new recreation building complete with a new basketball gym and gymnastics gym, new playground space for children, outdoor common areas, splash pad, and revitalized outdoor athletic courts  as part of the Rebuild Initiative.  The project is wrapping up design and construction will start in 2022.