Feb. 8, 2010, 1 a.m. - D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, Executive Director of the Office of Public Education Facilities Modernization Allen Y. Lew, and Interim Director of the Department of Parks & Recreation Jesús Aguirre joined the Ward-5 community to break ground on renovation efforts scheduled for Joseph H. Cole Recreation Center.

“Just last August we gathered here to celebrate a newly modernized school for the students of this community,” said Fenty.  “Today I am proud to extend these improvements to include a new, co-located recreation center for the students at Wheatley Education Complex and the proud residents of the Trinidad community.”  

The 7,600 square-foot facility will include:

• Expandable multi-purpose spaces
• Classroom and office space
• Locker rooms with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant restrooms
• Regulation-size outdoor basketball court
• Indoor basketball court with new high-performance floor for safety

“I am pleased that DPR, DCPS, OPEFM and the community have worked together on the Wheatley/Joe Cole collocation project,” said Interim Director Jesús Aguirre. “We look forward to providing high quality, safe, physical activities and programming for the residents.” 

The existing, antiquated recreation center, which was built in 1971, will be demolished after the new facility opens its doors in June 2010. 

The new community center will be integrated  into neighboring Wheatley Education Campus.  The school underwent a full modernization and multi-purpose wing addition, which reopened in August 2009. During the new recreation center’s construction, a temporary wall will be built to shield the school from any noise obstructions. 

Additionally, plans are underway for a community park which will include a tot-lot playground, walking paths, flower gardens, picnic area, and a new turf field all of which will be completed October 2010.  

“Our staff has worked with the school and the larger community to make sure that renovations provide the valuable resources both our students and community deserve,” said OPEFM Director Allen Lew.  “Integration of the community center and the new fields makes for a phenomenal academic campus and resource for Wheatley.”