Demolition of the Recreation Center at Roberto Clemente Park gets underway for the construction of the Dorothy Quintana Community Center. Photo: Jorge R. Perez/City of Miami.

(Miami, Florida)—The Demolition Phase of the Recreation Center at Roberto Clemente Park began today making way for the construction of the Dorothy Quintana Community Center. 

The Dorothy Quintana Community Center at Roberto Clemente Park will consist of a new building of approx. 8,500 sq. ft. The building will include a 1,700 sq ft Social Hall, a divisible space to be used for community and family functions, a child play area, an Exhibit Gallery integrated into the main reception area, and recreational/tutorial spaces such as a computer lab, arts & crafts room, homework room, and fitness room. 

The new building will also provide public restrooms, covered terraces, and a playground area to serve the neighborhood activities and summer programs.  In addition, the building will house attendant spaces for storage, maintenance, meters and pump, as well as the staff offices for the Parks Department and the Wynwood/Edgewater Neighborhood Enhancement Team (NET). Both will share common spaces such as Conference Room, Break Room, Restrooms and Copy Room.  

The Capital Improvements Department will begin construction of the new community center in early 2009. Cost of construction for the new center has been estimated at $1.8 million with funding provided by Homeland Defense Neighborhood Improvement Bond Dollars.