Buffalo, NY – Mayor Byron W. Brown, in partnership with the Buffalo Police Department and the Police Athletic League of Buffalo, Inc., announced that extended hours are now underway at community centers citywide during July and August. This positive initiative is aimed at keeping youth from the City of Buffalo engaged in positive recreational activities during the summer months. As previously announced during his February 2018 State of the City Address, Mayor Brown pledged to extend hours at City-operated community centers citywide as part of a larger plan aimed at providing community programming and keeping youth engaged in positive activities throughout the summer.
“I’m proud to partner with the Police Athletic League of Buffalo, Inc. and the Buffalo Police Department to expand the programming offered during the evening hours at community centers citywide throughout the month of August,” said Mayor Brown. “My Administration works every day to ensure that we offer positive programming for our residents of all ages to come together with their families, neighbors and friends all summer long.”
The new summer hours at each City center are in effect for specific programming through the end of August:
Asarese-Matters Community Center, 50 Rees Street
Open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 6 pm.
Additionally, the center will be open from 6 pm until 10pm, Tuesday through Friday, for Hustle Tech U Basketball Training, from now through September 1, 2018. On Saturdays, it will open for WHJSC Soccer (Indoor) from 12:30 pm -2pm.
Hennepin Community Center, 24 Ludington Street
Open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 6 pm.
Additionally, the center will be open from 6 pm to 10 pm, Tuesday through Friday, for Hustle Tech U Basketball Training and PAL Girls Varsity Basketball, from now through September 1, 2018. On Saturdays, it will open from 10am-2pm for Family Open Gym.
JFK Recreation Center, 114 Hickory Street
Open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 6 pm.
Additionally, the center will be open 7 pm to 9 pm, Monday through Friday, got NEBC Basketball from now through September 1, 2018. On Saturdays, it will open from 10am-noon for WHJSC Soccer (Indoor).
Lincoln Community Center, 10 Quincy Street
Open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 6 pm.
Additionally, the center will be open from 10 am-1:30 pm on Saturdays for 716 PAL Flag Football League Mini Camp from now through August 11, 2018.
Peter Machnica Community Center, 1799 Clinton Street
Open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 6 pm.
Additionally, the center will be open Monday-Thursday evenings for PAL Varsity Basketball League.
The center will also be open Saturdays for PAL 12 & under, 14 & under, and 16 &under Boys Basketball from now through September 1, 2018.
Tosh Collins Community Center, 35 Cazenovia Street
Open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 6 pm.
Additionally, the center will be from 6 pm to 10 pm, Tuesday through Friday, for BAH Basketball Training Sessions and PAL Girls Varsity Basketball, from now through September 1, 2018. On Saturdays, it will open be open from 10am-2 pm for Family Open Gym.
During the academic year, the above City-operated community centers are open for recreation from 2 pm until 10 pm, Monday through Friday. Saturday morning hours vary per center. During the extended summer hours, each center will offer youth a variety of activities, including basketball and soccer clinics, flag football, and open gym. For a complete list of youth programs at each center, please go to www.buffaloppal.com or visit the Centers during hours of operation. All community centers are open to all City of Buffalo residents, free of charge.
“The Buffalo Police Department, in collaboration with the Police Athletic League, are working together to promote a safe place for our City’s youth,” said Buffalo Police Commissioner Byron C. Lockwood.
“The Buffalo Police Athletic League is very excited to enter into this partnership with the City of Buffalo to extend summer hours to provide quality youth programming to keep our youth safe,” said PAL Executive Director Nekia Kemp.
Independent centers citywide including, Gloria J. Parks Community Center, The Belle Center, Edward Saunders Community Center, and Metro CDC Delavan-Grider Community Center already had extended hours, offering programming year-round until 9 PM. Metro CDC Delavan-Grider offers open gym nightly from 6 pm – 9 pm and Saturdays from 11:30 am – 2 pm. Additionally on Saturdays, Metro CDC Delevan-Grider offers power yoga from 8:30 am – 9:30 am and then Community Yoga from 10 am – 11:15 am.
Mayor Brown’s other initiatives aimed at keeping youth engaged in positive activities during the summer months include his highly effective Summer Youth Internship and Employment program, which is now underway and runs through August 16th. This year, he invested a record $1.8 million in funding to provide learn and earn opportunities to nearly 1,700 young people. He also spearheads Reading Rules! Mayor Byron W. Brown’s Summer Reading Challenge. Since bringing this initiative to the City of Buffalo in 2006, nearly 15,000 City youth have completed the challenge.