The Coleman A. Young Recreation Center has always been more than a building. It has stood as a reflection of Detroit’s pride, its promise, and its power. On Saturday, May 10, that promise returned to full form as the center reopened its doors after undergoing an $11 million renovation, restoring a vital anchor in the District 5 community that had remained closed since March 2020.
The building, first opened in 1980 and named after the city’s first Black mayor, Coleman A. Young, holds weight in every corner of Detroit’s East Side. That name, etched into Detroit’s history and carried forward through generations, now finds itself at the center of a community revival. The center’s closure during the COVID-19 pandemic turned it into a testing site—another shift in purpose as Detroit navigated the uncertainties of public health and survival. But for the residents who used its gym floors, swim lanes, and meeting rooms, the absence was never forgotten.
“Residents have been very vocal about wanting to have the Coleman A. Young Recreation Center back since we put it to use as a COVID testing site five years ago,” said Mayor Mike Duggan. “It’s taken some time, but I’m sure residents will agree, when they see the beautiful improvements that it was worth the wait.”
The wait has delivered a transformation rooted in intention. Renovations were made possible through $5.9 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and $5.1 million from the city’s Unlimited Tax General Obligation (UTGO) bonds. These funds supported a broad and thorough renovation that combined foundational infrastructure repairs with long-overdue modern updates.
Parking lot repairs came first. Next were electric vehicle charging stations, new exterior windows, a redesigned entrance, refinished gym floors, and a new elevator. The pool’s systems were overhauled, the boiler was replaced, and both HVAC and electrical systems were upgraded. Additional fire alarm systems and CCTV surveillance enhancements were added to strengthen safety and accessibility throughout the building.
The City of Detroit’s Construction and Demolition Department brought in Gandol Inc. to execute the two-phase renovation. This project was part of a larger citywide commitment to bring recreation centers back online after the pandemic left many shuttered. With Coleman A. Young now reopened, Detroit can count 13 recreation centers fully back in service.
For Detroiters who remember what this center once was, the reopening brings a sense of return—but it also carries a new layer of expectation. Coleman A. Young II, son of the former mayor and current Detroit City Councilman, offered words of reflection and recognition.
“I am so impressed with the attention to detail and the commitment to excellence that is shown in the construction of this building that bears the name of my father, Coleman A. Young,” he said. “This is a phenomenal structure that is filled with the spirit of my father and most importantly, the spirit of the people of Detroit.”
This spirit was felt throughout the grand reopening. More than 300 residents purchased Detroit Recreation memberships during the event, signaling more than interest. It was a community affirming its investment in shared spaces, generational access, and collective healing.
Crystal Perkins, General Services Director, emphasized the significance of what the center means for community development and continuity.
“The reopening of the Coleman Recreation Center is more than a return—it’s a renewal of our commitment to community, connection, and opportunity,” Perkins said. “This space has long been a cornerstone for generations, and today, it reopens its doors with new energy and purpose. May it continue to be a place where memories are made, futures are shaped, and our community grows stronger together.”
Inside the building, new furniture has been added to meet modern standards of comfort and accessibility. A brand-new e-sports lounge stands ready for a generation of young gamers looking for space to connect and compete. Fitness equipment in the weight room has been upgraded, and new gaming equipment offers additional programming potential.
What makes this moment notable isn’t just the return of services but the way the city has chosen to reinvest in its neighborhoods. Council President Mary Sheffield spoke directly to this in her remarks during the reopening celebration.
“The reopening of the Coleman A. Young Recreation Center is more than a celebration of a building, it’s a celebration of community, opportunity, and progress,” Sheffield said. “This $11 million dollar transformation brings new life to a space that has long been a cornerstone for youth, families, and seniors in our city. I’m proud to stand with residents as we reopen this vital center and renew our focus on neighborhood investment and access to quality public spaces.”
Drop-in programming officially begins Monday, May 12. Scheduled programming is set to begin on May 19. The timing aligns with the city’s efforts to provide summer options for youth and family engagement as schools begin to wind down.
This opening not only signals completion of the recreation center restorations that were delayed due to COVID-19—it underscores Detroit’s broader strategy to use public funds to rebuild community spaces that hold cultural and social weight. These centers serve as safe spaces for children after school, workout destinations for elders, gathering places for family reunions, and critical access points for city services.
Work continues across the city. Construction is still underway at the Helen Moore Community Center, formerly known as Dexter-Elmhurst Recreation Center. Its completion will mark another milestone in Detroit’s mission to restore and reintroduce trusted places where community development is not just promised but practiced.
Recreation centers do not make headlines the way stadiums or skyscrapers do. Yet they shape lives quietly and powerfully. They are where friendships are formed, scholarships are sparked, and young people gain structure and self-worth. For Detroit’s Black community, spaces like Coleman A. Young Rec Center have long provided sanctuary and strength.
This reopening didn’t happen overnight. It took vision, dollars, political will, and the voices of residents who refused to let the space be forgotten. The dollars that flowed into this renovation—particularly from ARPA—represent federal funds finally working at the neighborhood level, with results that can be felt and used by those who have waited the longest.
Coleman A. Young, the man, never backed down from the fight for equity, especially in the neighborhoods that mainstream Detroit ignored. This rec center, bearing his name, now moves forward again as a site of equity in motion.
The restored building doesn’t need to speak for itself. The people walking through its doors—some for the first time, others returning after years—are carrying the message forward. Detroiters know what this means. They always have.
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