Sanchez Center
New Orleans, LA
Photo Credit: Greg Miles
In June 2013, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) broke ground on the new $17 million Andrew P. Sanchez Community Center and the new $4.1 million New Orleans Fire Department Engine 22 and 39 Fire Station which are both located at the intersection of North Claiborne Avenue and Caffin Street in the Lower Ninth Ward. These new facilities will replace the previous community center and fire station that were both destroyed when levees failed during Hurricane Katrina. Both of these new buildings will be symbols of this community’s rebirth following the devastation left by the hurricane.
The two-story, 65,000 sq. ft. community center will include: two-story entrance lobby with full height glazing, indoor lap pool, regulation size high school indoor basketball court with retractable bleachers and performance stage, commercial kitchen and concessions, 700 sq. ft. foot exercise room, 1,600 sq. ft. dance room, 850 sq. ft. game room, 4,000 sq. ft. senior center, 6,000 sq. ft. health clinic, multi-purpose classrooms, computer lab, reading room, music room and arts and crafts classroom. Aquatic amenities include:
4,000 sq. ft. Multi-Purpose Pool
- Six 25-yard lap lanes
- Water basketball
- Water volleyball
- Stair entry
- Water polo
Funding for this project comes from FEMA public assistance, Disaster Community Development Block Grant funding, insurance proceeds, and city bond funds. The new Sanchez Center was designed by Perez, APC of New Orleans and will be constructed by Gibbs Construction of New Orleans. This project will be completed in summer 2014.
