The newly fashioned athletic facility in the Park Slope Armory will open its doors in September, it was reported this week.
“At this point, we are ready to take occupancy of the facility,” said Sean Andrews, the executive director of the Prospect Park Y, which will operate the reworked armory.
The blog Brownstoner reported the YMCA−run, $16 million center was expected to open earlier this year, but contractors continue to toil away, specifically working on the renovation of 20,000 feet of classroom space, where an array of programs are eventually planned.
Most of the work inside the 100,000−square−foot armory is already complete, including a state−of−the−art track−and−field center and basketball courts. Tours are scheduled soon.
The YMCA was selected last year to operate the recreational portion of the facility through a competitive RFP (Request for Proposals) submitted through the city’s Department of Homeless Services. The agency will continue to maintain a small women’s shelter in the building, located at 1402 Eighth Avenue.
Andrews told this paper that the Y has now signed and finalized a 10−year contract with the city. A “major theme” of the contract is that the YMCA, “is the operator of the facility and that YMCA will provide a range of community programs, but also, we will have to earn sufficient revenue to keep the doors open,” he said.
Primary revenue streams will come from individual membership fees, which will be $40 a month for adults. The armory will also offer family memberships, as well as fee−based programs such as summer camp and after−school programs. A fitness center will also be housed in the facility. A free membership program for local kids aged 6−18 is also planned, Andrews said.
