City Holds Special Golden Shovel Ceremony Saturday, Celebrates Phase II Of Jackie Robinson Recreation Center Renovation

The long awaited multi-million dollar renovation of the Jackie Robinson Recreation Center will break ground Saturday (under a tent) at a special ceremony that will kick off Phase II of the Center’s extensive rehabilitation project designed to better serve the recreational needs of the community.

The ceremony marks a milestone for the project which has been in development for over a decade and will feature remarks by local dignitaries, city government officials and community members who made this dream a reality for the City of Pasadena.

“The Robinson Park Recreation Center will definitely be a true center to our community and we think that it will be truly representative of what we would like to see in a recreation center,” said Department of Human Services and Recreation Director Horace Wormley.

Phase II of the the rehab will include a substantial rehabilitation of the existing approximately 19,000 sq. ft. recreation center and consists of the demolition and reconstruction of the Center’s 9,000 square feet multipurpose room, administrative offices, kitchen the open courtyard, recreation rooms and a conference room, according to Wormley.

Approximately 4,900 additional square feet of fitness areas, dance rooms and storage will be added to the facility.

“The actual planning of this groundbreaking included and extensive community engagement effort,” said Horace Wormley.

City Council approved the preliminary design in February 2015 and authorized the Department of Public Works to proceed with the proposed project.

Over thirty community meetings were conducted to gather public input for the new facility.

“The community has really embraced this project and they’ve really let us know what they want to see in this facility,” said Wormley.

The City Council adopted the Robinson Park Master Plan In 2002 after extensive community input and City Commission review, according to the City website.

Phase I of the implementation involved a 2 1/2 acre expansion of the existing park and improvement of the site with new soccer and baseball fields, installation of synthetic turf, construction of new restroom and storage facilities, new sports field lighting, site amenities and parking lot.

Demolition is expected to take place in early March and will take approximately fifteen months to complete with a price tag of $11.4 million.

“Everything except for the gym and pool area will be demolished and built from the ground up,” said Wormley.

The new and improved facility is designed to be ADA accessible and will include energy efficient lighting technology in addition to new security upgrades.

The grounds will be equipped with drought tolerant landscaping as well.

“We think it will certainly bring our community together and it will be a center that will be worthy of the greater Pasadena area. We’re looking forward to it and certainly we think it will work,” said Wormley.

Once the new center is up and running next year, there are plans to continue offering the popular Youth Sports and Enrichment Program that will include summer camps, tiny tots classes, and adult and senior fitness programs.

“The community is really excited about having a facility that will continue and in a better way, accomodate all of these various programs that we have to offer,” said Wormley.

The event will include elected officials, City staff and spotlight young people that will utilize the facility, according to Wormley.

“Everyone who will have a hand in or do something inside of the facility will definitely be apart of the groundbreaking ceremony,” said Emerson.

Speakers will include Councilmember John Kennedy, remarks by Mayor Terry Tornek, City Manager Steve Mermell a representative from Assemblyman Chris Holden’s office and a representative from the legendary Robinson family.

“We’re looking forward to the project getting started so we can have a great facility for our community to enjoy,” said Wormley.

Robinson Park Recreation Center Ground Breaking Ceremony begins Saturday at 1 p.m. on the lawn in front of the Robinson Park Recreation Center located at 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave.