Hayward proposes Legion Field center

Press release: Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward is proposing an innovative and cost-effective new approach to the City’s parks, recreation, library, and community center programs with a new “Community Resource Center” he is sending to the City Council for approval.

The Community Resource Center, which will be built at the site of the proposed Legion Field Recreation Center, will house several aspects of the City’s community and neighborhood programs. In addition to traditional recreation facilities, fitness centers, kitchen, and meeting rooms, the new facility is envisioned to also house the West Side Library Branch, a learning center, and offer expanded computer and internet access.

Hayward said this new center will be a model for future improvements and neighborhood program efforts, reduce duplication and improve efficiency, and was part of his 20 Solutions program to improve neighborhoods.

“In today’s world, community centers aren’t just the standard recreation facilities that many of us grew up with. Now they are after-school care locations, meeting places, coffeehouses, off-site learning centers for schools and community colleges, and satellite offices for municipal government programs,” said Hayward.

“My vision with this new center at Legion Field is that it will be a place where people of all ages can come and interact with their neighbors and their world – over a game of basketball, a continuing education program, or an online community college class,” said Hayward, “and that we can work on building the same capacities at many of our other community centers.”

Hayward added that the resource center was a way to cut costs and reduce duplication while meeting neighborhood needs, addressed during the Mayor’s town hall meetings. By combining the library and community center, the City will be able to cut costs associated with building two different facilities, and also meet the needs of the neighborhood.

“These are tough economic times, and we’re all having to do more with less,” said Hayward. “My administration is working hard to find ways to continue providing top-notch services to the community while keeping costs down, and this new center will do both.”

News of the facility was greeted with enthusiasm by local community leaders and activists.

“This is the type of initiative that addresses, holistically, the quality of life issues that every community faces, by providing meaningful opportunities and options for people of all ages,” said Pastor Lonnie D. Wesley, III, of Greater Little Rock Baptist Church. “I applaud the Mayor for moving this project forward and for taking the initiative to fulfill the commitments made to citizens on the West Side of Pensacola.”

LaTasha Hankins, whose two daughters participate in the Legion Field sports programs, said she was excited about the news. “This is an awesome project that will be really beneficial for the community,” said Hankins. “I’m excited about finally having a full range of activities available for the children in this area.”

Dr. Joseph Marshall, a local community leader, gave Hayward high marks for the initiative. “I commend the Mayor and his efforts for the betterment of the greater Pensacola community. This is a project that benefits not just one neighborhood, but our city as a whole, and I’m looking forward to it,” said Marshall.

The facility is expected to cost approximately $3 million, with that funding coming from Penny for Progress dollars allocated to the West Side Library ($1.5 million), radio replacements ($500,000), and 2016 paving budget funds ($500,000), in addition to $500,000 currently budgeted for the Legion Field project.

In addition to the Legion Field Community Resource center, Hayward is also proposing $80,000 in improvements to the Cobb Community Center, which is currently undergoing a renovation project. As part of the renovations at Cobb Center, the existing playground area was eliminated. This funding will allow for the construction of playground area and the purchase of playground equipment, including ADA-compliant structures.

Hayward said this was part of the price of progress and a successful parks and recreation program.

“It’s a real testament to our City’s parks and recreation department that we are outgrowing our current facilities, and this funding will build much-needed playground space and equipment that we had to eliminate to make room for other facilities, like parking and basketball courts,” said Hayward.

Funding for the playground space and equipment is $81,946 and will come from Penny for Progress funds allocated to the Hollice Williams Park.

The City Council is expected to take up both of these proposals at their June 20th meeting, which begins at 3:15pm at City Hall’s 2nd Floor conference room.