Mayor Vincent C. Gray celebrated the official start of the construction project to modernize Raymond Recreation Center. Along with members of the Ward 4 community, Mayor Gray was joined by representatives from OCA, DGS and DPR.

EOM Contact: Linda Wharton Boyd, (202) 727-5011
DPR Contact: John Stokes, (202) 288-7275

WASHINGTON, DC – Mayor Vincent C. Gray today celebrated the official start of the construction project to modernize Raymond Recreation Center. Along with members of the Ward 4 community, Mayor Gray was joined by representatives from the Office of the City Administrator (OCA), the Department of General Services (DGS) and the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR).

"Our goal for this project is not only to provide a new recreation center for this community, but to also create an educational campus by connecting Raymond Elementary School to the new facility," Mayor Gray said.

The recreation center project will include the demolition of the existing facility and constructing a new 17,000 square-foot center. The new facility will include a gymnasium, fitness center, computer lab, commercial kitchen and administrative support areas.

"The Raymond Recreation Center project is being designed to create a physical relationship between the recreation center and Raymond Elementary School," said City Administrator Allen Y. Lew. "Once completed, there will be a natural connection between the center and the school."

The new recreation center will also feature a Seniors Room, elevator, a new ADA-accessible entrance, and ADA access and pathways. The site will also feature a "Tot-Lot" play area for children ages 2-5, and a play area for children ages 5-12.

Construction on the site will begin this month, with the new recreation center scheduled to be completed and open to the public in late 2012. For more information on DGS and the new Raymond Recreation Center, visit DGS.DC.GOV.