One of the city’s oldest recreation centers has reopened after a two-and-a-half-year long renovation. On Friday, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, city and state officials, representatives of the Philadelphia Eagles, and Kingsessing community members celebrated the reopening of Kingsessing Recreation Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Through its Rebuild Philadelphia program, the City has invested $27 million to modernize the facility, which originally opened in 1916, while preserving its historic character. Upgrades include renovated interior spaces, a new artificial turf field, an accessible playground, and improved community gathering areas.

Kingsessing Recreation Center is a historic community anchor, distinguished by its Beaux Arts-style architecture and spanning more than 32,000 square feet across three levels. The renovation of Kingsessing Recreation Center caps a $35 million investment in the Kingsessing campus, which includes the recently renovated Kingsessing Library.

“I grew up playing at Kingsessing Rec, so I know firsthand how important this space is for Southwest Philly,” said Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (3rd District). “The wait has been long, but it has absolutely been worth it… Southwest Philly finally has the world-class rec center it deserves!”

This project received additional funding from multiple partners, including $200,000 from the Philadelphia Eagles to support the construction of the new turf field and $30,000 from Penn Medicine for new fitness equipment.

“We are proud to be part of the collaborative effort to modernize the Kingsessing Recreation Center,” said Don Smolenski, President, Philadelphia Eagles. “This newly revitalized community space ensures local families have a welcoming environment to come together to learn, play, and thrive.”

Totaling $27 million, building and site improvements include:

• Comprehensive interior renovations throughout the facility
• New elevator and lifts to ensure accessibility throughout the building
• Restoration and improvements to the historic building exterior, including masonry and façade restoration
• New security systems and infrastructure
• Upgraded accessible restrooms
• New exterior lighting to improve safety and visibility
• New artificial turf sports field and updated sports courts
• Modern playground with safety surfacing and accessible play equipment
• New exterior pavilion for gatherings and community events
• Enhanced stormwater management systems

Two existing public artworks in the interior of the Kingsessing Recreation Center, a 1970 metal and glass work by Bernard Brenner and a 1991 painted steel freestanding sculpture of a mother and child by Ken Clark, have been fully conserved by Creative Philadelphia. The sculptures were carefully removed during construction, cleaned and restored offsite by professional art conservators before being reinstalled. New interpretive plaques have also been installed to provide visitors with information about the artists and the history of the works.

Photos: Rebuild PHL