Lost Battalion Hall Recreation Center

The Daily Plant : Monday, May 19, 2003

LOST BATTALION HALL GETS IN TIP-TOP SHAPE

Situated on a sunny stretch of Queens Boulevard, Lost Battalion Hall recreation center is a beacon for Queens residents young and old looking for fitness, educational, and social activities. Now, thanks to $300,000 allocated by the City Council, the recreation center boasts a brand new fitness area and senior recreation room. On Thursday, May 15, Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe and a representative for Council Member Helen Sears joined four and five-year-olds from Lost Battalion Hall’s daycare program, seniors, and Parks & Recreation officials to celebrate the newly completed area. The festivities also featured a patriotic sing-a-long by the children and a demonstration of Olympic weightlifting by a professional weightlifter.

"At Parks & Recreation, we are always looking for ways to promote healthy, active lifestyles for children and adults of all ages," said Commissioner Benepe. "This is one of the greatest recreation centers in the City of New York, in the country, in the world, in the universe," he added. After introducing many of the Parks & Recreation officials and staff responsible for making Queens parks a great place for getting in shape, Commissioner Benepe tested the newly added weightlifting area by lifting a barbell over his head in a "clean-and-jerk."

Lost Battalion Hall is one of the most utilized recreation centers in Queens—used for free educational and athletic after-school programs, daily toddler activities, senior offerings including senior yoga, mah jong games and meals, adult and children sports, and more. The work was completed under a requirements contract by a construction company called P.A.R. The new fitness area and senior recreation room have been redesigned, and features include a weightlifting area, a boxing ring, wood and mirror accents, new lighting, new doors, and new floors. The space will also serve as a venue for adult programs such as karate, table tennis, boxing, and Olympic weightlifting.

"It’s very nice—I’ve been coming for quite a few years," said Rego Park resident Francis Kan, who has participated in the center’s senior program since 1997. "People are very nice and always help when you need something."

"They’ve made a new kitchen that’s beautiful," said Rose Schmeiman who comes from her home in Forest Hills along with other seniors to spend days at Lost Battalion Hall.

Parks & Recreation offers many daily programs to seniors in all five boroughs, including fitness and stretching programs, arts & crafts, computer classes, games and excursions. The City’s 35 recreation centers receive over a million visits from neighborhood children and adults each year. In addition to adult programs, most centers offer free educational and fun after-school programs for children.

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Lost Battalion Hall Recreation Center