The transformative Gene Friend Recreation Center project will replace the old facility with a bright, modern hub with 50% more space to serve the needs of children, families, and seniors in the vibrant SoMa neighborhood.
At the heart of this $59 million project is a commitment to neighborhood connection and well-being. The 25,000 square foot center will be able to accommodate a diverse array of activities and classes aimed at all ages. It includes a gymnasium with two full-size basketball courts surrounded by expansive windows for natural light, as well as an inviting new entry on Harriet Street. The design features a modern exercise area, a kitchenette, reception area and office, and two multi-purpose rooms, one of which opens onto the new exterior playground, creating a safe and protected area for supervised play. Additional outdoor amenities in the dense urban area include a picnic area and sport court, all complemented by new landscaping and lighting.
Background The former SoMa Rec Center was built in 1990 and renamed in 2002 in honor of Eugene L. Friend, who served on the San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission for 24 years, including 13 years as its President. The rec center is a longtime community gathering spot located in the heart of the SoMa Pilipinas Filipino Cultural Heritage District. Youth programs keep the facility bustling, while its gym has been a busy spot for pickup basketball games, including wheelchair basketball.
Rec and Park began working with the community in 2014 to envision improvements to Gene Friend Recreation Center. A feasibility study was conducted to model various tiers of intervention. This study demonstrated that improvements to the existing building would be costly and would not fully accommodate community desires and the needs of the growing SOMA neighborhood. Construction of a new recreation center and facility allows RPD to provide more public amenities, improve site access and security, and will offer greater seismic strength and environmental benefits.
After a robust community outreach planning phase, Rec and Park Commission approved a concept design in September 2019 for a whole-scale replacement and expansion of the recreation center.
Estimated Project Schedule
Phase
Timeline
Planning
Fall 2014
Design
Spring 2022
Construction
Early 2024
Open to the public
Mid-2026
Project Updates If you would like to sign-up for Project Update blog posts like the ones below, click here , scroll down to the News Flash section, and then select “RPD Park Improvements | All Project Updates” to receive updates on all our active projects, or pick-and-choose your blog subscriptions by project name. Y ou’ll receive an email that includes a link to confirm your new subscription for each blog for which you sign-up.