Aviator Sports and Recreation
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Aviator Sports and Recration [link] is a reclamation of New York City’s first municipal airport, Floyd Bennett Field, which opened its hangars in 1931 and was decommissioned in 1972. Floyd Bennett Field (FBF) is now part of the 4th most visited national park, Gateway National Recreation Area, in Southeast Brooklyn. In the late 1990’s the National Park Service (NPS) was seeking private partners to help revitalize poorly funded park land. Aviator Sports and Recreation and the NPS has established a 20 year partnership to revitalize a favorite destination for early pilots such as Amelia Earhart and Douglas “Wrong Way” Corrigan. Aviator and the NPS officially began their 20 year relationship in 2003 to restore 4 of FBF's original hangars (making them into one 170,000 square foot building) and surrounding land, creating a sports complex totaling 25 acres of restoration.
Floyd Bennett Field is a historic site, therefore all of the original buildings in use by the airport are governed by the State Historic Preservation Officers, (SHIPO). Part of Aviator Sports and Recreation’s requirements to participate in building a community oriented sports and recreation facility at Floyd Bennett Field is that they must rehabilitate the structure of the dilapidated hangars and tarmac that fall within their land concession. Any changes or modifications to the buildings are temporary, they do not alter the look of the airport hangars, they do not appear to be part of the original structure (different materials are used), and all plans for modifications must receive the prior approval of SHIPO. Aviator and the NPS have also committed by way of their contract to continue to promote the history through memorabilia, images, history walls, and plain replica’s to insure that the history of this facility is easily seen by any visitors to this sports and recreation complex at Floyd Bennett Field.
Goals
The goal of the NPS's relationship with Aviator Sports is to bring recreational activity back to the urban lifestyle by creating an alternative to the typical inner-city playground. This project was developed at a time when it is becoming increasingly difficult to find the space and responsibly run sports and recreation programs that allow for people of all ages to participate and enjoy a family friendly, safe environment. Aviator combines community based sports programming (clinics, camps, leagues, etc.), professional sports exhibitions, national and international tournaments, and music concerts in one unique and multi-faceted venue.Facilities
Aviator’s Sports Facilities include:- 2 full size, synthetic turf, gated and lit outdoor soccer / lacrosse / football fields
- 2 NHL regulation size ice rinks – one of which can seat up to 2,500 people
- 20,000 square feet of hard wood courts to be used for sports such as basketball, volleyball, team handball, and Futsal as well as for events such as banquets, conferences, and movie screenings.
- 35 foot tall by 20 foot wide rock climbing wall
- 15,500 square foot gymnastics and dance training and competition center
- A membership based fitness center that includes group classes such as Yoga and Pilates.
- A sports performance center complete with a physical therapy / orthopedic physicians practice and highly skilled trainers for the most competitive of athletes.
- 8,000 square foot mezzanine and sports bar that overlook both hockey rinks and the hardwood courts
- “Main Street” walkway that includes a full service food concessions that feature famous food items from famous eateries from around Brooklyn as well as retail and a media wall.
Programs
Aviator Sports and Recreation hosts a diverse array of programs to accommodate a wide range of interests for users of all ages. Their venues support participatory activities such as gymnastics, cheerleading, dance, figure skating, recreational ice skating, rock climbing, basketball, volleyball, hockey, soccer, flag football, and lacrosse.Strategic Relationships
- Official consessioner of The National Park Service, servicing Floyd Bennett Field area of Gateway National Recreation Area,
- Aviator Sports and Recreation has a relationship with a 501c3, which provides opportunities and resources for youth and their families to participate in recreational, educational, and sports based camps, clinics, and leagues.
External links
- [Gateway National Recreation Area website at www.nps.gov/gate]
- [Aviator Sports and Recreation website at www.aviatorsports.com]
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