New $16 Million Recreation Center's Basketball Court Closes Months After Opening

The District of Columbia shut down the basketball court at the Anacostia Recreation Center after HVAC system malfunctions warped the floor, with repairs expected to take until mid-November. The facility, which cost $16 million to construct and opened in February, is now facing criticism for closing less than a year after completion. Ward officials and community advocates questioned how a newly built center could experience such significant mechanical failures.

The $16 million Anacostia Recreation Center was part of a multi-year development initiative that began with planning in 2020 and construction starting in 2023. Located adjacent to Ketcham Elementary School, the 15,000-square-foot facility was designed to serve dual purposes: providing recreational amenities for the broader community while offering gymnasium access to the school during its ongoing renovation period, which will extend through two academic years.

The closure highlights potential quality assurance challenges in municipal infrastructure projects. Community members noted the facility operated for approximately six months before the basketball court became unavailable, with repair timelines extending into late fall. During this period, the center's other amenities—including fitness equipment, classrooms, and kitchen facilities—continued operating, though youth programming opportunities dependent on gymnasium space were significantly reduced.