By MEDIANEWS GROUP
PUBLISHED: August 4, 2023

PHILADELPHIA — On Wednesday, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, city Councilman Curtis Jones, Rebuild Philadelphia, and community members broke ground at the Al Pearlman sports complex in Roxborough, kicking off updates to their athletic fields.

Home to the 21st Ward Athletic Association, youth baseball, softball and football teams will now have an improved and high-quality multiuse complex made possible by the city’s Rebuild program, Philadelphia’s $500 million historic investment in public spaces.

“The work being done in the 21st Ward to encourage young people to get involved in sports was an integral part in the decision-making process to update the Al Pearlman complex,” said Kenney.

“The 21st Ward Athletic Association is led by a dedicated group of volunteers providing our youth with a safe outlet. It’s exciting to give back to a neighborhood that is pouring so much energy into their future leaders.”

4th District councilman Curtis Jones added: “In the Roxborough community, time can be determined by what team you played for and who was the coach at the time.”

“The Al Pearlman Field, particularly on opening day of baseball, is the center of sports activities creating a forever summer for youth.”

The multiuse complex, which includes four baseball fields and an overlapping football field, offers a plethora of sports fields for activities which provides the Roxborough community with ample afterschool opportunities and weekend events.

Totaling $1.2 million in investment, the Al Pearlman Sports Complex will be updated with: new LED light fixtures on existing light poles; new metal railings and concrete step improvements to the two staircases leading to the building and stairs between the A Field and Pony Field outfield; fencing improvements on Field A and Field B; a new infield mix on Field B along with regrading of the infield and outfield; a new backstop, replacement of the dugout asphalt, new player benches, a new infield mix, and regrading the infield and outfield of the Pony Field; and replacement of dugout asphalt and excavation and recompacting of standing water areas in the Walter “Bud” Ryan Memorial Field, formerly Field C.

“Rebuild is thrilled to kick off our investment here at Al Pearlman,” said Kira Strong, Executive Director for Rebuild.

“To keep our youth engaged in sports we need to be sure we provide quality, and most importantly safe, athletic fields for them to compete on. This neighborhood is in for a real treat once this project is finished. I look forward to coming back for the ribbon cutting.”

VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

Source: The Times Herald