Orlando Standard

The City of Orlando is set to open the newly renovated Downtown Recreation Center, aimed at supporting young residents in Parramore. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, with Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and District 5 City Commissioner Shan Rose attending.

The upgraded facility will serve as the city's first drop-in center for youth aged 14 to 19. It will provide a variety of enrichment programs such as tutoring, mental health support, financial literacy, career guidance, and culinary classes. Additionally, the center includes two game rooms, a movie room, and a computer lab.

Renovations to the building include refinished gym flooring, a new roof and HVAC system, upgraded locker rooms, showers and bathrooms, as well as new flooring and lighting.

Sasha Mills, a local resident and former Parramore Kidz Zone (PKZ) student who has earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Central Florida’s Downtown Campus and worked as a Student Advocate in both Parramore and Holden Heights neighborhoods, has taken on an important role at the recreation center. Mills aims to help youth in the community by fostering an environment for growth and development.

Parramore Kidz Zone (PKZ), launched by Mayor Dyer in 2006, was Orlando’s first Kidz Zone initiative. It has been working towards improving children's well-being in one of Orlando's highest poverty neighborhoods. The program aims to reduce juvenile crime rates, teen pregnancies and high school dropout rates by investing in youth development programs. In 2023 alone, all four Kidz Zones served over 2,400 students.

The Downtown Recreation Center will be open to neighborhood youth after school starting Monday, September 30th.

The ceremony details are:

- Date: Tuesday, September 24th

- Time: 10 a.m.

- Location: Downtown Recreation Complex at 363 North Parramore Avenue