REC CENTER GETS REVAMPED

with railings being held together by duct tape, the 59th street recreational center is in desperate need of renovation. luckily, construction will soon start on a new state-of-the-art facility for the community.

on sept. 18, rep. jerrold nadler, assembly member linda rosenthal, borough president scott stringer and council member gale brewer and tossed dirt from their shovels on to an almost waist-high mound to symbolically break the grounds of the 59th street recreation center construction site. the idea for a new facility has been in discussion since 1993.

nadler told crowds he remembered fighting for the recreation center to stay open; more than 50 children showed up in swim trunks to protest the potential closing.

"the 59th street recreation center is getting a total makeover," said parks commissioner adrian benepe.

construction started this past june, after $12 million was raised to build new facilities and renovate existing facilities. the project will offer yearly low-cost exercise and recreational equipment for only $75 to adult members, $10 for seniors and free of charge to residents under the age of 17.