The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) had some news today about the opening of the long delayed Sportspark recreational facility that was closed for renovations in September 2021 and scheduled to open in the Spring 2022, then Fall of 2022, then late Fall/Winter 2022, then late Winter 2023 and as of today early spring 2023.

According to RIOC:

… Membership rates for the use of the facility will include access to
the following amenities: swimming pool, basketball court, and recreational
room. A promotional rate will be announced in advance of the buildings
re-opening on a later date….

Roosevelt Island resident Roberta Kleinman was a regular user of the Sportspark pool before the renovations closed the facility and has been looking forward for it to reopen. Upon learning of the new RIOC Sportpark user fees, Ms Kleinman writes:

I have no words! The pricing is COMPLETELY OUTRAGEOUS! It is no where near in line with other State or City facilities, and it is triple to approx. 10 times the amount of prices in March of 2020. I am angry and baffled! These prices are PUNITIVE!!! Not in line with a not-for-profit State run facility.

So for a Roosevelt Island adult weve gone from $300 to $1500 ($125×12) a
year. That kind of increase is unprecedented and absurd. Plus there are many
people, such as myself who are only interested in using the pool, and others
who would be interested in the gym.

We, as a community have to stop this!

Ms Kleinman has started an online petition to protest the new Sportspark fee structure. According to the petition:

You can view and sign the petition here.

I asked RIOC President Shelton Haynes and Communications Vice President Akeem Jamal today:

I’m preparing a story on RIOC’s announcement today regarding fees for use of the Sportspark facility.

What is RIOC’s rationale for the pricing structure of fees?

A community petition has begun protesting the huge increase in fees for the Sportspark…

… Will RIOC have any comment for the Roosevelt Island community?

There has been no response from RIOC.

Comments about the Sportspark membership fees on the Roosevelt Islander Instagram page include:

Today’s RIOC announcement adds:

Roosevelt Island Operating Corporations President & CEO Shelton J. Haynes today announced that renovations to the highly anticipated Sportspark Complex are now complete. The nearly $12M renovation that began in April 2021 is slated to reopen in early spring 2023.

To say I am excited for the reopening of Sportspark would be an understatement much like the community, I am eager to unveil the new facility, says Shelton Haynes.The recreation center is now so much more and will serve as a central hub for the community, emphasizing overall health, wellness, and fitness.

Majorimprovementstothefacilityinclude:

  • Astate-of-the-artfitnesscenter;
  • Anewpool&andelevatedamenities;
  • UpgradedHVAC&Lighting;
  • Installationofenergy-efficientsystems;
  • Areimaginedgymnasium;
  • Arecreationalplayarea;
  • Brand-newlockerrooms;
  • Brand-newsingle&family restrooms;
  • Brand-newshowers;
  • AgroupFitnessStudio;
  • Eventfunctionspace;
  • Renovatedcommonareas;
  • Areceptioncheck-insystem;and
  • Resurfacing of the buildings faade.

Mr. Haynes added,Once the appropriate New York City inspections are complete, we will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the official opening of the Sportspark complex in the near future.

RIOC’s Instagram page has pictures inside Sportspark.

Is the Roosevelt Island Sportspark facility a public recreational center like Riverbank State Park or a private gym like Equinox