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PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Sommer Omar, Founder of Coalition to Save the Public Recreation Center Downtown

1:42:44

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114 sec

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Sommer Omar, founder of the Coalition to Save the Public Recreation Center Downtown, testified in support of the indoor hoops act and against the demolition of the Tony Dapolito Recreation Center in the West Village. She emphasized the importance of indoor basketball courts for community building and youth development.

The Tony Dapolito Recreation Center has been closed for repairs for five years, and the Parks Department now plans to demolish it, including its popular indoor basketball court.
Omar highlighted the significance of the center's basketball court in bringing together diverse youth and fostering a sense of community under coach Ray Pagan.
She urged the city council to pass the indoor hoops act and appealed to Chairman Krishnan for support in saving the recreation center.

Sommer Omar

1:42:44

Good afternoon.

1:42:45

My name is Samar Omar.

1:42:47

I'm the founder of the Coalition to Save the Public Recreation Center downtown.

1:42:50

We're comprised of block associations, parks advocates, political clubs, and neighbors organizing to save the Tony Dapolito Recreation Center, a public affordable rec center located in the West Village.

1:43:02

This rec center already had a popular indoor basketball court, and for the last five years, the Parks Department shut down the facility for much needed repairs.

1:43:10

The department recently changed its mind, however, and now plans to demolish this facility, basketball court and all.

1:43:18

I personally haven't had hoop dreams but I grew up with three brothers who all thought they'd be in the NBA.

1:43:23

Every chance they'd get, they'd grab a basketball and play pickup games with kids from the neighborhood or use the plastic mini hoop on their doors that inevitably fell apart every few months because of too much dunking and one too many alleged game winning fadeaway shots.

1:43:36

My brothers didn't make it to the NBA which I believe only they were shocked about, but every kid should get to at least dream about making it or have access to indoor courts to stay active and find a safe place to grow, not just as athletes but as young people figuring out who they are.

1:43:52

We have had three community board meetings downtown about the Tony DiPolito Recreation Center, and there has been near unanimous outcry over this demolition plan.

1:44:00

And you should hear how much this basketball court meant to the kids, not just living downtown but who came from across the city to be part of a rare mix of kids from all backgrounds, united by a love of the game and a deep respect for coach Ray Pagan, a legendary figure who didn't just coach basketball but built a family.

1:44:17

Kids who played for him still come back for an annual reunion and they even created a website called Iplayedforray.com because playing for him on that public indoor court meant something and stayed with them.

1:44:29

For these reasons, I urge the city council to pass the indoor hoops act and I am hopeful chairman Krishnan, you'll be on our side as we fight to save this beating heart in our neighborhood.

1:44:37

Thank you.

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