Construction Industry Professionals Improve Sharswood-area Recreation Center

May 31, 2016

ConstructConnect joined forces with the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Hanley Wood Media and industry volunteers on May 18 to revitalize the Philadelphia Athletic Recreation Center as part of AEC Cares’ annual “blitz build.”

Used by hundreds of children in the Sharswood neighborhood for after school and sports programs, the Athletic Recreation Center was in need of repair and upgrades.

During the build, nearly 150 volunteers including architects, engineers and contractors tackled projects across the recreation center to make it more welcoming and functional.

“ConstructConnect is proud and humbled to have been a part of AEC Cares projectPhiladelphia,” said Laura Marlow AEC Cares executive director. “Combining the efforts of nearly 150 volunteers, architects, contractors –and supported by such great sponsors as USG, YKK and others – AEC Cares was able to dramatically transform the Philadelphia Athletic Recreation Center in one single, incredible day. Everyone knows that after school activities and athletics are pivotal for young people, especially in challenged neighborhoods. Our entire team is humbled to have been part of this industry collaboration, leaving Philadelphia a bit better than we found it.”

The renovation project, valued at over $330,000, included numerous donated materials and time. Volunteers painted four rooms, gutted and renovated the kitchen and arts and crafts room and replaced 3,000 square feet of vinyl. In addition, the team did extensive repairs and refinishing to the auditorium.

“Leading the design effort for the AEC Cares Philadelphia project fit perfectly with our mission to strengthen neighborhoods through design and to create engaging volunteer opportunities for local design professionals,” said Heidi Levy, director of design services for Community Design Collaborative, a Philadelphia-based non-profit organization that helped arrange the renovation. “The Collaborative and our volunteer team were so excited to be able to bring positive change to this community in such a short period of time and in a truly collaborative way.”

ConstructConnect, AIA and Hanley Wood Media have joined forces one day prior to the AIA National Convention for the past six years, during AEC Cares’ annual build, to raise awareness and provide community support for worthwhile projects across the United States. In 2011, these groups collaborated to rebuild five homes devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Subsequent projects included revitalizing houses for homeless teens in Washington D.C. and renovating facilities for homeless, disabled veterans and adults in Denver. Last year’s project included revitalizing an inner-city Atlanta shelter for youths in crisis.

For more information about AEC Cares, visit aeccares.com.

About ConstructConnect

ConstructConnect brings participants together throughout North America with the most complete, accurate and actionable construction data in the markets where they work. ConstructConnect is the combination of four legacy brands: iSqFt, Construction Market Data, BidClerk and Construction Data. ConstructConnect’s collaborative network empowers the construction industry to be more successful with access to relevant information through easy to use technology. For more information, visit constructconnect.com.

About AEC Cares

AEC Cares is a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation actively supported by CMD with the AIA and Hanley Wood, generous sponsors, donors and volunteers. Bringing together architects, contractors, manufacturers and industry professionals from across the United States and Canada, AEC Cares works to create positive change through meaningful projects that benefit a new community every year. To learn more about AEC Cares, visit aeccares.com.