City of Pensacola Celebrates Completion of New Bayview Community Resource Center

Mayor Grover Robinson, local elected officials and City of Pensacola staff celebrated the completion of the award-winning Bayview Community Resource Center with a ribbon cutting today, Friday, Jan. 29, at Bayview Park, commemorating a highly anticipated and historic day for the Pensacola community. 

The ribbon cutting, which was a limited attendance, invitation-only event due to COVID-19, also celebrated renovations at the Bayview Senior Center.

"This is certainly a building that we're very proud to get open," Mayor Grover Robinson said at the event. "It's been some time, but it has touched the fabric of who we are as a community in this park... We're proud to have such an incredible, forward-looking, beautiful building here as a part of the city."

Mayor Robinson was joined by District 4 City Councilman Jared Moore, Former Mayor Ashton Hayward, District 5 City Councilwoman Teniadé Broughton, Escambia County Commission Chairman and District 4 Commissioner Robert Bender, and members of the community to celebrate the new Bayview Community Resource Center, which will provide additional opportunities for residents to enjoy the waterfront at beautiful Bayview Park, the city's largest public space with waterfront access. 
 
Bayview Community Resource Center architect Caldwell Associates Architects and contractor Hewes & Company Construction were recognized at the event, along with Bayview Senior Center architect TOWNES + Architects and contractor A.E. New Jr. Inc. City of Pensacola Parks & Recreation and Public Works & Facilities staff were also recognized  for their efforts and hard work on both community center projects.

The approximately 13,000-square-foot Bayview Community Resource Center is designed to enhance connectivity to Bayou Texar, featuring decks and balconies offering sweeping waterfront views and waterfront access. Bayou Texar is a protected waterway and an important natural resource in the Pensacola community, and the new center will also be used to educate the community, promote water safety and encourage environmental responsibility. 

As a tribute to Bayview Park's rich history, the sign at the building's main entrance pays homage to the old 30-foot diving tower that was used in the park dating back to the early 1920s.

The Bayview Community Resource Center features approximately 3,500 square feet of event space and 4,000 square feet of indoor storage for kayaks and other equipment, designed to meet the diverse needs of community groups and residents. The state-of-the-art facility will specialize in community spaces for watersports activities, community gatherings and event rentals. 

The City of Pensacola's  outdoor and volunteer programs will now be based out of Bayview Community Resource Center. In addition to a variety of programs and events for residents of all ages, the center will offer equipment rentals including kayaks, stand up paddleboards, pedal boats, bikes and more.

The city broke ground on the approximately $8 million Bayview Community Resource Center in 2018, replacing the former community center that was demolished in 2015.

The Bayview Community Resource Center was awarded the American Institute of Architecture Florida Northwest 2020 Design Award, and the Bayview Senior Center was also recognized by the Florida Recreation and Parks Association with a Facility Showcase Award for renovations at the center.

"We are building the community – and have been doing that for a long time –  building the community that people want to be in...," Mayor Robinson said. "We're excited about the possibilities of what this community center offers all of our citizens."

Bayview Community Resource Center is located at 2000 E Lloyd St. in Pensacola. For more information about City of Pensacola Parks and Recreation facilities and programming, visit PlayPensacola.com or contact Parks and Recreation at 436-5670.