The Gene Friend Recreation Center in SoMa, a vital community hub, is set to re-open on August 13 after being closed for demolition since February 2024. The center’s renovation includes a double-court gymnasium, multipurpose rooms, and a playground, addressing the neighborhood’s severe lack of open spaces.

A Much-Needed Community Space

SoMa has some of the lowest rates of open space and public parks in the city. The re-opening of the rec center will provide a safe haven for local kids and teens, who have been forced to congregate in overcrowded parks like Victoria Manalo Draves Park.

According to Rudy Corpuz, executive director of United Playaz, the renovated center has been designed with safety in mind, taking into account the needs of the local community. The center will offer after-school programs, sports facilities, and community events, filling a significant gap in the neighborhood’s recreational offerings.

Local residents, including Angelina, an incoming 7th-grade student, and Jared Ines, an 18-year-old volunteer, expressed their excitement about the re-opening, highlighting the center’s importance as a gathering place for young people in the area.

Original reporting: Mission Local — read the source article.