“Safety is our top priority”. That’s the official line. But what about community? Welcome to the Metropolitan Recreation Center in Williamsburg.
The Metropolitan Recreation Center stands at Bedford and Metropolitan Avenues. It’s more than just a building. It’s a story of community and recreation. It is currently facing mechanical issues.
Let’s step back in time. Imagine Williamsburg in the early 20th century. The population boomed after the Williamsburg Bridge opened. Many residents lived in tenements without bathrooms. Hygiene was a challenge. Disease spread easily.
The City Beautiful movement aimed to uplift public spaces. Beautiful schools, parks, and even bathhouses emerged. In 1923, the Municipal Public Baths opened. It was designed by Henry Bacon, the architect behind the Lincoln Memorial. Think about that connection for a moment. A local bathhouse and a national monument, born from the same creative vision.
Three thousand people showed up on opening day. Borough President Edward Riegelmann spoke to the crowd. He promised the bathhouse would be open 365 days a year. He envisioned mixed swimming for men and women. He hoped to build six more bathhouses.
The bathhouse had 66 showers. It also had a large pool. It offered a place for the “great unwashed” to cool off and clean up. By 1935, the Parks Department took over. The facility became a recreation center.
Use of the pool declined over the years. But a 1997 reconstruction restored its beauty. It was renamed the Metropolitan Recreation Center. It was in time for a new population boom.
Today, the Metropolitan Recreation Center offers many activities. There is an indoor pool. There is also a fitness room and a cardio room. Arts and crafts, afterschool programs, and a computer resource center are available. Membership is affordable. It is $75 for six months. That makes it a valuable resource in a gentrified neighborhood.
But frustration is growing. The center closed suddenly due to “mechanical issues”. Members were caught off guard. They arrived to find locked doors. Details and a reopening timeline are scarce.
Council Member Jennifer Gutierrez is pushing for transparency. Residents want a clear reopening plan. The Parks Department encourages people to use nearby alternatives. McCarren Play Center and St. John’s Recreation Center are options.
The Metropolitan Recreation Center’s story is ongoing. It reflects the needs and challenges of a changing community. It started as a solution for public health. It evolved into a hub for recreation. Its future depends on addressing the current closure. It needs to restore its role as a vital resource.