New MLK Jr. Recreation And Aquatic Center Opens In Atlanta

ATLANTA, GA -- The city of Atlanta is celebrating the opening of the new $23.5 million Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation and Aquatic Center. A ceremony was held Monday to commemorate the 64,000-square-foot facility near the Sweet Auburn district.

After the former Martin Luther King, Jr. Natatorium was closed in 2012 due to structural concerns, Reed promised the Old Fourth Ward community that a new recreational center will be built with additional amenities before he leaves office. The Oct. 30 ceremony celebrated that milestone.

“It was an honor to cut the ribbon on the new Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation and Aquatic Center today with Dr. Bernice King, surrounded by community members,” Reed said Monday. “Atlanta is the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and every building, street and monument bearing his name should be representative of Dr. King’s life and legacy. The recreation and aquatic center offers best-in-class design and amenities, and is accessible by MARTA and the Atlanta Streetcar. The new Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation and Aquatic Center is a place for everyone, and we hope that all of our residents look to this facility as a source of pride and connection.”

The facility features a 25-yard lap pool as well as Atlanta's first zero-entry indoor pool. The facility also includes a fitness and weight room, climbing wall, multi-use event area accommodating more than 200 people, rooftop event space, recreation classrooms, a senior center, a multi-purpose gymnasium, an indoor walking and jogging track, a lounge and workroom area, a computer lab, locker rooms and recreation staff offices.

“The Department of Parks and Recreation is proud to open the Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation and Aquatic Center’s doors, and celebrate what this new facility means for the city of Atlanta,” said Atlanta's Recreation Commissioner Amy Phuong. “This beautiful, state-of-the-art facility offers recreational programming to residents of all ages and abilities and serves as an essential communal gathering space, while embodying what all our recreational facilities should look like the future.”

The Atlanta Housing Authority donated land for the new facility at 110 Hilliard Street, which is situated across from the King Memorial MARTA station and two blocks from the Atlanta Streetcar. The Renew Atlanta infrastructure program provided $17 million in funding, with the remaining funds provided by the Department of Parks and Recreation.

Winter Johnson FS360, a joint venture of the Winter Johnson Group and FS360, created the design-build for the recreation and aquatic center, and architects from KAI Design & Build and Perkins + Will led the design process for the center.

Images via city of Atlanta