The Lawncrest Community Association last week heard an update on the planned renovations to Lawncrest Recreation Center, 6000 Rising Sun Ave.
Project manager Patrick Isaac, of Community Ventures, said construction is expected to begin in the spring. Work is expected to take a year or a little longer.
There will be an addition to the building that will be used for half-court basketball or as a volleyball court. A handicapped-accessible ramp will be added inside the building. Other additions will be steps, lighting, playground equipment with a safety surface, trees, benches, picnic tables, a walking path, interior and exterior cameras and relocated outdoor basketball courts.
No work will be done on the fields or the swimming pool.
In all, the cost will be $17 million.
Recreation leader Steve Schmidt said he is looking for temporary locations for programs and is welcoming volunteer help. Lawncrest Rec offers after-school homework help, a tee-ball program and soccer for ages 3-6; has a large cheerleading program; had 80 kids in summer camp; runs basketball leagues; and will host a soccer clinic during the week between Christmas and New Year’s.
In related news, Isaac said the Lawncrest Library – which is undergoing renovations – should reopen in June. He is the project manager on that job, too.
In other news from the Nov. 16 meeting:
• The city’s Vision Zero initiative outlined the Tabor Avenue Repaving and Safety Project, stretching from Godfrey Avenue to Levick Street. There will be conventional and parking-separated bike lanes, standard-width lanes to reduce speeding, repaving and restriping.
• Capt. Marc Metellus and community relations officer Mark Mroz, of the 2nd Police District, spoke to the crowd. There were 46 stolen autos in the district in the last month. Other crimes included an aggravated assault with a gun at 919 Levick St.; shots fired at the front door of a house on the 5900 block of Colgate St.; and an assault and the stealing of a $1,500 Louis Vuitton purse from a woman on the 500 block of Rosalie St.
• A medical office is looking to move into the former CVS at 5843 Rising Sun Ave. The company will make its presentation at the January LCA meeting. A Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing is set for Feb. 7.
• State Rep. Anthony Bellmon spoke of the legislature’s passage of a measure to provide some $640 million to Temple, Penn State, Pittsburgh and Lincoln University.
• Route for Change: Transforming the Boulevard will hold an open house on Monday, Dec. 4, from 6-8 p.m. at Mayfair Community Center, 2990 St. Vincent St. Light refreshments will be served.
• Lawncrest Community Association will meet on Thursday, Dec. 21, at 6:30 p.m. at St. William’s Monsignor James E. Mortimer Memorial Hall, Argyle and Robbins streets. The meeting will serve as LCA’s annual holiday party. ••
