California Construction News staff writer
Construction has started on the reconstruction of the Palisades Recreation Center in Los Angeles, which was severely damaged in the January 2025 Palisades Fire.
A public-private partnership involving Steadfast LA, LA Strong Sports and the City of Los Angeles is funding and delivering the project. The partnership was established in April 2025 to redesign and rebuild the recreation center and surrounding park.
The project is expected to cost about $40 million and take 12 to 15 months to complete, according to the Los Angeles City Council’s District 11 office. The project is being funded through private donations, with no taxpayer funding allocated to the reconstruction, the office said.
Plans include two indoor basketball courts with bleachers, two indoor pickleball courts, a lobby, multipurpose room, offices, storage and restrooms. The broader park plan includes new basketball courts, a multipurpose field, playground, community gathering areas, upgraded pathways, terraced seating and improvements to existing tennis and baseball facilities.
The Pacific Palisades Historical Society has raised concerns about the demolition of the existing “Old Gym,” which dates to 1947, and has argued that the original facility had historical value and served as a community clubhouse as well as a sports facility.
The Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Commission approved the project in January. Reconstruction comes as state and local officials continue working on the broader recovery from the Palisades and Eaton fires.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation on Sept. 15 to extend mortgage-forbearance protections for Los Angeles fire survivors and establishing statewide requirements for wildfire smoke testing and remediation. AB 1642 establishes standards for testing and remediation of lead and asbestos contamination from wildfire smoke.
