Hartford Announces $1.6 Million Renovations To Reopen Blue Hills Recreation Center

June 23, 2022

HARTFORD ANNOUNCES $1.6 MILLION RENOVATIONS TO REOPEN BLUE HILLS RECREATION CENTER

 

HARTFORD, CONN (June 23, 2022) – Today, Mayor Luke Bronin joined State Senator Doug McCrory, State Representative Joshua Hall, City Council Majority Leader T.J. Clarke, City Councilmembers Nick Lebron and Shirley Surgeon, and community leaders in the Blue Hills neighborhood to announce the new $1.6 million renovations to the Blue Hills Recreation Center, a 4,500 square foot facility. The recreation center, located at 9 Lebanon Street, was closed in Spring 2011 and has remained vacant since.

 

Construction is expected to begin later this summer, and the project is anticipated to be completed by December. Upon completion, the Blue Hills Recreation Center will hold youth programming and other community events organized by the Department of Families, Children, Youth, and Recreation (DFCYR).

 

“We are excited to be restoring the Blue Hills Recreation Center, which will become a key community asset to the Blue Hills neighborhood,” said Mayor Bronin. “Using funding from our Capital Improvement Plan, we will be able to fully renovate the space and provide great youth enrichment opportunities and physical activities, as well as another place for the Blue Hills community to gather. I want to thank City Council, State Senator McCrory, State Representative Hall, and the Blue Hills community for advocating so ardently for restoring the Rec Center, and I look forward to seeing it come to life over the coming months.”

 

“The restoration of the Blue Hills Recreation Center will give young people from the Blue Hills neighborhood and surrounding area a safe, welcoming space to hang out with their friends after school or during the summer,” said Sen. McCrory. “Also, the renovated center will be a hub for programs helping young people on their journey to reaching their personal and academic goals. I, and many Hartford families, eagerly look forward to the reopening of the center.”

 

"Today we announce a promise fulfilled,” said Rep. Joshua M. Hall. “A promise to the young people of our community a safe place to be kids.  Our community has been eagerly awaiting the renovations to the Blue Hills Recreation Center.  I want to thank Mayor Bronin, City Council, and I. Charles Mathews for ensuring the children of the Blue Hills Community have a place to call home.  A special thanks goes out to the Blue Hills NRZ, the Blue Hills Civic Association, the MOUTH Block Watch and our entire community for holding us accountable."

 

The Blue Hills Recreation Center renovations are funded through $1.2 million from the City’s Capital Improvement Plan and the General Fund, supplemented by a $400,000 allocation from the Community Development Block Grant.

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