Philadelphia – To highlight the need for Rebuilding Community Infrastructure (Rebuild) investment in parks, recreation centers and libraries, Mayor James Kenney, joined by City Councilwoman Cherelle Parker and Rebuild Executive Director Nicole Westerman, toured Olney Recreation Center today. During the tour, Mayor Kenney and Councilwomen Parker visited Olney’s performing arts program and ceramics class. They also met with members of the recreation center’s newly-formed Recreation Advisory Council to learn more about the community’s involvement at and hopes for the facility.
“These Rebuild tours have proven to me what I have long believed – Philadelphia’s recreation centers, parks and libraries are vital to building a strong sense of community in our neighborhoods,” said Mayor Kenney. “Olney has benefitted from the support of a great community partner, the Olney Eagles Youth Organization, and from listening to community members about what they want and need. And what this community deserves is a beautiful facility to match the incredible commitment of its partners and residents. Rebuild could make that want a reality.”
The tour showcased the many physical improvements needed at Olney Recreation Center, including better lighting and new security cameras around the play area and building to improve safety, a new roofing system, new electrical service, vents and air-conditioning in the gym, new gym floors and more. Additionally, the Olney Eagles Youth Organization’s club house needs renovations.
“Residents in this proud working-class community have been consistent contributors to the City’s tax base for years and deserve to see their tax dollars at work,” said Councilwoman Parker. “I believe that Rebuild would not only improve the physical spaces at Olney, but also serve as a catalyst to further engage the community to make sure that the programming meets the needs of local residents, which will help preserve the quality of life.”
Rebuild is a seven-year, $500 million investment in Philadelphia’s parks, recreation centers, playgrounds and libraries. Proposed in Mayor Jim Kenney’s first budget as a part of his vision for a more equitable Philadelphia for all, Rebuild seeks to improve pivotal community spaces, empower and engage communities, and promote economic opportunity through diversity and inclusion. Rebuild is a public private partnership made possible by the Philadelphia Beverage Tax.
“Community engagement and empowerment is one of the pillars of Rebuild and will play a vital role in the re-design, programming and long-term stewardship of selected sites,” said Rebuild Executive Director Westerman. “It is difficult to see a great recreation center like Olney in such need of repair, but there is a silver lining. In its new advisory council, Olney has a very active community already advocating for transformation in their neighborhood. While Rebuild sites haven’t been selected yet, Olney is a great example of the kind of involvement we want to support through Rebuild’s community engagement efforts.”
Orlando Rendon, Parks and Recreations First Deputy Commissioner for Programs added, “Rebuild presents an opportunity to make long overdue and substantial investments to our public spaces. Rebuild investments will be made with the guidance of community members in order to ensure that these improvements are aligned with community needs and priorities.”