Gertrude Ederle Recreation Center

The Daily Plant : Monday, September 21, 2009

Parks Breaks Ground on Improvements to 59th Street Recreation Center

Photo by Daniel Avila

On September 18, Commissioner Benepe joined United States Congressman Jerrold Nadler, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, City Council Member Gale Brewer, Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal, Community Board 7’s 59th Street Recreation Center Task Force Chair Mel Wymore, and local schoolchildren to break ground on $12.4 million in improvements to the 59th Street Recreation Center.

“Thanks to generous funding allocations from City Council Member Gale Brewer, Mayor Bloomberg, Borough President Scott Stringer and Congressman Jerrold Nadler, along with mitigation funds from a private developer, the 59th Street Recreation Center is getting a total makeover,” said Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian. “The center’s new pool, aerobics, cardio and teen rooms will provide a benefit to community members of all ages, and the best part is that membership in this state-of-the art fitness destination will cost only $75 a year for adults, $10 a year for seniors and will be absolutely free for kids and teens.”

The 60th Street wing of the recreation center is being completely reconstructed with a new indoor pool, updated electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems, First Aid room, and improvements to the gymnasium and cardio room. A new addition to the building will also be constructed that will feature men’s, women’s and family locker rooms, a youth activities room, computer room, multi-purpose room, and aerobics and fitness rooms.

The renovation is made possible thanks to generous funding allocations from Council Member Brewer of $4.6 million, the Office of the Mayor of $4 million, Borough President Stringer of $1 million, and Congressman Jerrold Nadler, who assisted with a $100,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In addition, a private developer provided $2,658,000 as mitigation for a nearby project.

The 59th Street Recreation Center was opened June 28, 1906. It contained a public bath (or indoor swimming pool), 49 showers for men and 20 showers and 1 tub for women. It was built under the auspices of Manhattan Borough President John F. Ahearn. In 1906, the land on the south side of the site was also acquired for the purpose of a public playground.

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(1939 - )

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Gertrude Ederle Recreation Center