Tampa Republic

Tampa City officials, Skanska representatives, and community members gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony of the East Tampa Recreation Complex at Fair Oaks Park. Mayor Jane Castor highlighted the significance of the $34.7-million project, emphasizing the much-needed overhaul of the outdated park.

"Fair Oaks Park has served the community for generations, but it is small, outdated, and long overdue for a complete overhaul," Mayor Jane Castor expressed. "Once we are done, East Tampa will be home to one of the city's most magnificent parks, serving the young and the young at heart."

Council Member Gwendolyn Henderson also shared her enthusiasm for the project, calling the new Fair Oaks Park a "generational victory for the community and for the City of Tampa." She noted the positive impact of previous investments in East Tampa and expressed excitement for the future developments.

The East Tampa Recreation Complex will feature a 33,055-square-foot center with dedicated spaces for seniors, classrooms, and an indoor basketball court. Additionally, the building will incorporate a significant collection of solar panels to reduce energy costs. The entire complex will cover 10.25 acres and offer various amenities such as outdoor basketball and pickleball courts, a sports field, walking trails, benches, a community lake with a lighted aerator, and a fenced-in playground with inclusive play elements.

The project is part of a series of investments in East Tampa, including the City Center at Hanna Avenue and The Skills Center, aimed at boosting the local economy and enhancing the community. The new recreation center is set to open in Fall 2025, with the entire complex expected to be completed by Spring 2026.

The current center at Fair Oaks Park will remain operational until the new facility on the south end of the property is ready for public use.