Bedford Union Armory Searches For Programs For Community Center

CROWN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — The giant community center opening at the Bedford Union Armory later this year is looking for local organizations to use its facilities.

The city-owned site — whose redevelopment has been hotly debated for years — has put out a "Request for Expression of Interest" for what will now be known as the The Major R. Owens Health and Wellness Community Center.

The request seeks organizations or groups that hope to use the new pool, turf, court hours or take advantage of professional coaching and instruction opportunities.

The community center is set to house a 60,000 square-foot recreation center with an indoor swimming pool, three hardwood basketball courts, an indoor soccer field, dance and performance studios, a fitness center and areas designated for boxing and archery. It will also include 45,000 square feet of space for local community-based non-profits.

So far, New Heights, Globall Sports and Imagine Swimming have signed up as the facility operators, each specializing in their respective sport, according to the notice.

The Bedford Union Armory is on track to open the community center later this year, officials said this week.

The residential components of the Armory project is set to open in 2022 and 2023. The project is slated to bring 415 homes, 250 of which will be set aside as affordable.

Those who are interested in using the community center space should fill out this form.