The City of Pensacola invites residents and neighbors to the Fricker Resource Center Groundbreaking event at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 17 at 900 N. F. Street.
The groundbreaking will mark the start of exterior renovations at the beloved community center, supporting the city’s strategic plan goals of connecting communities through public spaces and honoring neighborhood culture and legacy.
“The Fricker Resource Center renovation project has the potential to be one of the most transformative initiatives in our department’s history,” Parks and Recreation Director Tonya Byrd said. “This investment goes far beyond improving a facility — it represents an opportunity to strengthen an entire neighborhood through expanded services, programs, and resources that directly impact residents’ quality of life.”
All residents and community members are invited to join the City of Pensacola, Mayor D.C. Reeves, Pensacola City Council members and others in celebrating this transformational project.
Project Timeline:
- Senior Programming relocated to Bayview Senior Center beginning May 18.
- Parks and Recreation’s After School Programming ended on May 22. Summer campers were accommodated at Woodland Heights and Cobb Resource Centers.
- Fricker Center closed May 23.
- Center staff relocated to other centers on May 26.
- Green Simmons has begun interior demolition and construction of the stormwater improvements.
- Demolition of the building exterior has commenced, with new building walls going up within 30-60 days.
- The center will reopen with services in June 2027
With nearly $10 million in grant funding awarded in 2023 and some Local Option Sales Tax funds, the project will enable Fricker to offer a wide variety of leisure and cultural activities, special events, and services that promote health, exercise, fitness, relaxation, enjoyment and learning. The renovated center will include:
- A career lab
- A senior center
- STEM Lab for students
- Health and wellness access
- Increased weather resiliency, including expanded stormwater treatment
- Increased parking
- ADA-compliant playground updates
- A multipurpose field/green space
- Additional renovations to restrooms, entryways, the kitchen, social hall, library and more.
“We’re building more than just a facility — we’re building a space that reflects the heart of this community,” Mayor D.C. Reeves said. “Our goal is to maintain what we already have and make it resilient enough to endure for many more years to come.”
The Fricker project is part of the city’s Direction 25 program, a nearly $22 million effort to invest in and revitalize parks and public recreation spaces across the city.
To learn more, visit the project website: www.frcrenovation.com.
