City officials and Kingsessing community members gathered on Tuesday, Aug. 25, to celebrate the grand re-opening and ribbon-cutting of the Francis J. Myers Recreation Center located at 58th and Kingsessing. Following a comprehensive $27 million renovation, the 148-year-old Southwest Philadelphia facility has been completely transformed into a modern, fully accessible hub for neighborhood residents.

The extensive overhaul preserved the historic integrity of the original 1878 structure while completely reimagining its interior and exterior footprint. The expanded facility now features:

• A new gymnasium, lobby kitchen, dedicated community room (see photo above), computer lab (below), and versatile classroom spaces.

• Fully modernized building systems, full electrification, and complete ADA accessibility throughout the facility.

• New playgrounds, a sprayground, a community garden, updated landscaping, new walkways, security fencing, and upgraded lighting.

Upgrades were designed to LEED Gold standards to maximize energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.

In addition to physical and structural upgrades, the recreation center will showcase two new site-specific mosaic artworks designed by artist Reginald Adams, commissioned through the City’s Percent for Art Program.

The multi-million-dollar transformation was funded primarily through the City’s Rebuild program, supported by a $4.5 million grant from the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) and $250,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).

Community engagement played a pivotal role in the facility’s redesign. Local residents and youth shaped the project across 13 community meetings and stakeholder check-ins, directly influencing elements such as the new playground layouts and building functionality to best serve Southwest Philadelphia for generations to come.

Check out other recently completed or ongoing Rebuild program projects in West/Southwest Philadelphia here.

The building’s side entrance after the renovation.

The renovated computer lab (Photos courtesy of Rebuild Philadelphia)