PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A building that was once a state-of-the-art recreation center for Philadelphians with disabilities is being torn down.
However, the city is working on several different fronts to replace the popular center.
The Carousel House in Fairmount Park has been known for its wheelchair basketball tournaments, and other programs geared specifically for people with disabilities.
But Philadelphia Parks and Recreaction Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell said that space is now uninhabitable for participants, especially for the vulernable population.
"There's significant issues with the roof, the HVAC system, the dehumidification system in the pool area," she said.
Ott Lovell said their best route forward is to tear down the Carousel House.
"The good news is, there will be a brand new facility built through the city's Rebuild initiative," she added, explaining that it will also be accessible to people in the surrounding neighborhood.
For now, those Carousel House programs will take place at other accessible rec facilities.
Anna Perng, part of the Mayor's Commission on People with Disabilities, is helping the department develop its inclusion program.
That initiative is aimed to make sure everyone has access to all of the city parks' facilities and engagements.
"I'm a disabled community organizer and a parent of two children with disabilities," said Perng.
Perng said through the inclusion program, neighborhoods that never had recreation center programs for all to access will now have them.
"People with disabilities have a right to be included in every aspect of public programming and facilities, she added.
"I'm excited to see that realized."