Fricker Resource Center's transformative rebuild begins

Pensacola held its official groundbreaking ceremony for the Fricker Resource Center on Friday, in what officials say has the potential to be one of the most transformative initiatives in the Park and Recreation Department's history.

"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," Parks and Recreation Director Tonya Byrd said.

The groundbreaking on Friday was held among the rubble of partially demolished buildings, as crews began work about two weeks ago. The initial groundbreaking ceremony was postponed due to weather.

The building will be torn down and rebuilt as part of a $10 million upgrade to the community center.

The community center closed to the public in May to allow the project to begin to add a career lab, senior center, STEM lab for students, upgraded restrooms, kitchen and social hall, among other upgrades.

The $10 million project is being funded with state and federal grants, as well as local option sales tax funds.

"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 in a city press release on the project. "Our goal is to maintain what we already have and make it resilient enough to endure for many more years to come."

Demolition on the building exterior and erecting new building walls is expected to take between 30 and 60 days. The center will reopen with services in June of 2027.

The project is the largest amount the city has spent on a community center project and it is part of the city's larger Direction '25 initiative.

The project 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.

Construction is expected to be completed in June 2027.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Fricker Resource Center's transformative rebuild begins

Reporting by Jim Little, Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal

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This story was originally published June 26, 2026 at 1:37 PM.