Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
The Brooklyn neighborhood was promised affordable recreation as part of the deal to transform the former armory. Residents are still waiting for details on possible class discounts as the Major Owens Community Center readies to open.
Crown Heights residents first heard the promise years ago: The transformation of a vacant, city-owned armory into housing and a community center would give local families access to low-cost recreation.
But as Brooklyn’s former Bedford Union Armory readies to reopen in the coming weeks as the Major R. Owens Health and Wellness Community Center, early signs show sky-high prices at its swimming pool.
Imagine Swimming, the outfit set to teach swimming at the competition-length pool, is advertising 30-minute lessons for $50 each, on top of a $50 registration fee, for a group class of up to four. That’s the same rate Imagine offers for lessons at its two flagship locations in Manhattan’s Tribeca and Upper West Side.
THE CITY found 30-minute lessons for as little as $30 in other parts of Brooklyn.
“Fifty dollars for 30 minutes is very steep, especially for low-income families…. I can’t afford that,” said Tashawna Hylton, 40, who said she’d like to sign up her 9-year-old son.
Imagine’s prices go up to $100 per half-hour for a semi-private class with two kids, and $200 for a private session, accoring to the company’s website.
The nonprofit facility operator brought in by developer BFC Partners, The Boys’ Club of New York, promotes $5 annual memberships for young men at its community centers in East Harlem and Flushing, Queens, including swimming lessons.
The group has not yet announced membership rates for the new armory pool and gym facilities, and did not follow through on a scheduled interview with THE CITY to discuss the plan.
Imagine Swimming, the outfit set to teach swimming at the competition-length pool, is advertising 30-minute lessons for $50 each, on top of a $50 registration fee, for a group class of up to four. That’s the same rate Imagine offers for lessons at its two flagship locations in Manhattan’s Tribeca and Upper West Side.
Not cheap but they are charging the same at their other locations. They have to pay their instructors the same and am sure they have to carry a lot of insurance. Maybe Imagine should just bow out of this deal. Is there really much of a market for expensive swimming lessons in Crown Heights anyway?
The armory was vacant and a mess a few years ago. Now, there are multiple ways for residents to use it. Can't afford the swimming lessons? Set up a community swim class . . . I imagine that the pool is open for other uses/hours, too
So much complaining from the usual suspects (e.g. community members).
Brooklyn Armory Rec Center Deal Documents Debunk Claims on Affordable Memberships
Councilmember Laurie Cumbo blasts out a defense of the 2017 pact she brokered for a city-backed Crown Heights real estate project after THE CITY found just 250 locals will benefit from long-promised discounts.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
