South Philly rec center closed due to structural problems
The Vare rec center, like others around the city, has suffered from decades of neglect.
The city has closed the Vare Recreation Center in South Philadelphia after structural engineers determined the 100-year-old building is unsafe.
Outdoor facilities will remain open at the center, located at South 26th and Morris Streets.
Parks and Recreation officials are working to relocate indoor programs affected by the closure to other centers.
Mayor Kenney said the closure of Vare underscored the need for the city's $500 million Rebuild initiative.
"Vare is one of our city's most active recreation centers and a critical resource in an extremely underserved community," Kenney said in a statement. "Through Rebuild, we will be addressing decades of under-investment in our parks, recreation centers and libraries."
In February 2016, columnist Mike Newall wrote about how Vare and other recreation centers in the city are suffering from decades of neglect.