City and state officials, the William Penn Foundation, and Rebuild break ground on the new Shepard Recreation Center

City and state officials, Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr., Representative Morgan Cephas, Senator Vincent Hughes, Commissioner Susan Slawson, Rebuild Philadelphia, the William Penn Foundation, Nicetown CDC, and community members celebrated the groundbreaking of the Shepard Recreation Center located in Haddington.

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The rec center will receive a transformative $17-million investment made possible by the City’s Rebuild program, a historic capital investment of over $500 million in 72 neighborhood parks, recreation centers, and libraries across Philadelphia.

“Recreation centers are vital community resources for all, but most importantly, they operate as a second home for our young people,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “The revitalized Shepard Recreation Center is another example of how residents can seem to touch and feel City services and of our commitment to their safety and an investment in their potential."

"Quality recreation centers in Philadelphia provide pathways to college campuses, good health, and a better quality of life for its residents,” said Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr. (4th District). “Inner-city youth should experience great facilities like their suburban counterparts do."

To revitalize Shepard, the existing 11,000-square-foot facility will receive a complete redesign and upgrades to the exterior spaces. This project will include:

A 2,000-square-foot space building addition with an accessible entrance and elevator

Reconfiguration of interior spaces, including a gym with expanded spectator seating, multi-purpose rooms, a computer lab, exercise rooms, and a boxing amphitheater

New finishes, lighting, mechanical systems, plumbing, windows and doors, roofing and elevator

Exterior brick repair