Patch.com: Bedford Union Armory Community Center Opens In Crown Heights

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By Anna Quinn

CROWN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — The long-awaited — and often controversial — community center at the center of Crown Heights' Bedford Union Armory transformation has officially opened its doors to the public.

The building, now called the Major R. Owens Health and Wellness Community Center, celebrated its grand opening Wednesday with a ribbon cutting and activities in its new 60,000-square-foot facilities.

The opening comes four years after a hotly-debated deal between the city and developers BFC Partners to build the recreation center while converting part of the property into housing.

"The Major R. Owens Health & Community Wellness Center is a reflection of years of dedication from Major Owens, and all those who were focused on the bigger picture both then and now, a testament to those who had the capacity to see how this space could support and enhance the rich and unique communities within Crown Heights and beyond," said Council Member Laurie Cumbo, who spearheaded the deal.

"The hard work between BFC Partners, NYCEDC, Community Board 9, and my office has revived the Bedford Union Armory as the jewel of Crown Heights, and I look forward to all the generations who will learn, grow, and thrive within this great community."

The new community center includes a 25-meter, six-lane competitive swimming pool, basketball courts and a multi-purpose area to be used for a variety of sports and community programming. It also includes 35,000-square-feet of office space for nonprofits, including the Boys' Club of New York, who will operate the gym.

Price points for the center, unveiled earlier this fall, include $30 per month standard memberships and discounted $10 rates for seniors and 250 Community Board 9 members.

Opponents of the Bedford Union Armory project have long questioned whether the community center would be accessible to the neighborhood, where, as THE CITY reported, 45,000 people would qualify for those low-income memberships.

The community center will also offer a long list of classes through local organizations, including New Heights Youth, Brooklyn Pride, Digital Girl, Inc., Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy, Globall Sports Center, Betty Carter Auditorium for the Arts (BCAA) and Imagine Swimming, who will run the pool.

The residential portion of the Armory project, which will bring 415 homes, is expected to be completed by 2023. 250 of the units will be set aside as affordable.