The indoor facility at Floyd Bennett Field’s Aviator Sports and Events Center, a longtime recreational hub that has served thousands of children from Brooklyn and Queens, will close April 14, officials announced Monday — but locals are still hoping to save the space.
The closure, set for when Aviator’s contract with the National Park Service expires, will end hockey, gymnastics, volleyball and other programs at the center, which opened in 2008.
“It is with deep regret that we must inform you that the indoor facility at Aviator Sports and Events Center … will be closing,” Aviator’s leadership wrote in a post on Facebook, noting that the team has “together navigated immense challenges — economic downturns, Hurricane Sandy, government shutdowns, COVID-19, and a migrant camp outside our front door.”
Earlier this year, the NPS issued a Request for Proposals, seeking to find a new company to lease and operate the federally-owned facility, but it does not appear to have selected a new operator yet. NPS did not immediately return request for comment on Tuesday.
While the closure marks the end of its indoor programming, Aviator is working with the NPS on an arrangement to keep outdoor activities running through fall 2025.
“While the indoor facility will close, we recognize the importance of our outdoor activities — golf, the Green Meadows Farm, and rental of outdoor playing fields — to the many people who rely on them,” management said. “For that reason, we are currently discussing with the NPS an arrangement that we hope will enable us to keep the outdoor facilities open through the fall of 2025 to ensure scheduled games and programs can continue as planned.”
Days before the announcement, community members rallied to protest the impending shutdown.
Demonstrators, including young athletes and their families, held signs reading “Save The Aviator,” “Protect Aviator Sports and Events,” and “Closing Aviator is closing opportunity for children.” The rally highlighted the deep community ties to the facility, which has offered affordable programs in ice hockey, volleyball, gymnastics, and figure skating for decades. Mayoral candidate and longtime community advocate Curtis Sliwa took the microphone at the March 20 rally to denounce the decision to close Aviator Sports and Events Center’s indoor facility — and the possible closure of the outdoor facilities. “NYC needs more recreational space that benefits the health and well-being of the community,” Sliwa said. “I stand with the parents and students who came out today to protect the Aviator Sports and Events Center. If it closes, hundreds of young athletes and families will lose access to affordable, high-quality sports programs. Local schools and leagues would lose a key venue for training and competitions.” Local Assembly Member Jamie Williams said her office is hoping to get some answers from NPS.
“I’ve been working with National Parks and trying to get some answers,” she said, emphasizing the need for transparency from the authorities overseeing the facility’s lease. According to the RFP, prospective lessees were scheduled to tour the facility on Jan. 28 and Feb. 12, and a new ten-to-20-year lease term would start “as soon as possible following selection of the best offer, completion of lease negotiations, and execution of a lease.” The document also shed some light on the state of the facility. The NPS feels the facilities are “underutilized,” it reads, and wants to find a new operator to “improve the facility, the offerings available, and the opportunity as a whole.” Aviator’s indoor recreation space is comprised of four conjoined and refurbished historic airplane hangars — and all four are in need of “substantial rehabilitation” expected to cost at least $5 million, according to the RFP, and the new operator of the facility would be required to replace the ice rink compressors, purchase new air conditioners and a boiler, replace the roof of the entire hangar compound, and repair or replace the turf fields. The NPS “may authorize” the new operator to offset the costs of those repairs by reducing their monthly rent payments, documents show.
Local families shared personal stories about Aviator Sports’ impact on their lives. Steven Kogan, whose 13-year-old son Daniel plays offensive hockey, called the center “my kid’s second home.” He added, “We’re here five times a week, and everyone at the center feels like family.” The Anderson family echoed that sentiment, recalling how their children — Kaleigh, 7, Connor, 13, and Anneliese, 11, a hockey player — have built lasting friendships and developed key life skills through Aviator’s programs. Even business leaders have joined the effort to save the facility. Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce CEO Randy Peers shared his own connection, posting online, “My daughter took her gymnastics classes here, had her birthday parties here, went ice skating and more.” Last week’s rally — and Monday’s announcement — come at a pivotal moment, as the National Park Service has yet to select a replacement operator. Protesters fear the closure will leave thousands of children without a safe space for sports and recreation. “Don’t let them lock us out!” the crowd chanted, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. In response, supporters have launched an online petition urging local officials to intervene. Community members are encouraged to sign and share the petition in hopes of keeping Aviator’s programs alive.
Adding to the growing pressure, Council Member Mercedes Narcisse has formally urged the National Park Service to expedite its decision-making process to avoid disruptions in services. In a letter to Gateway National Recreation Area superintendent Minka Sendich, Narcisse stressed that Aviator is Brooklyn’s only dedicated ice hockey facility and an irreplaceable community resource. She warned that delays in selecting a new operator could create a devastating gap in services, straining families and local leagues that rely on the center. On Monday, U.S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis said on Facebook that her office is “actively working with National Park Service to identify an operator to take over the lease at Aviator Sports & Events Center.” Advocates hope her push will add momentum to their cause and bring much-needed clarity to Aviator’s future — especially for those families navigating upcoming sports seasons with their kids. “How do you uproot all these kids who love what they do?” one Facebook user commented on Aviator’s post. “Devastating.”
Additional reporting by Meaghan McGoldrick O’Neil & Kirstyn Brendlen
Updated 3/25/25, 10:49 a.m.
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