Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick was joined by Steadfast LA chairman Rick Caruso and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass to announce plans to rebuild the Palisades Recreation Center. (photo courtesy of Mayor Karen Bass’ office)

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, LA Strong Sports, Steadfast LA and Pacific Palisades community groups announced a public-private partnership on April 10 that will fund, redesign and rebuild the Palisades Recreation Center.

The center, which was partially destroyed by the Palisades fire in January, is an important community hub for recreational activity for residents, organizers said.

“The city’s No. 1 pledge has been to eliminate any and every obstacle in the way of rebuilding, and we are forging new partnerships with all sectors as we continue to move Los Angeles forward,” Bass said. “The Palisades Recreation Center, library and playground are each a vital piece of this community, which is why the city pushed for the Army Corps of Engineers to prioritize debris removal at these landmarks. We will continue this progress, and I thank everyone – LA Strong Sports, Steadfast LA and key Palisades groups – for coming together for this new effort.”

LA Strong Sports was formed in late March by Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick and his wife Chelsea, Charles and Jenna Jackson and Kylee Kilgore to build, sustain and grow top-tier sports and recreation programs in Los Angeles in the aftermath of the wildfires.

“We visited the Pali Rec Center the same day we decided to move to the Palisades. That visit showed us not only how important the park was as a physical space, but how the people and families who took advantage of it made up the beating heart of the community,” Redick said. “We’re proud to formally announce a public-private partnership with the city and these local organizations to rebuild it so it can once again serve as a gathering place for sports and activities.”

Led by developer and businessman Rick Caruso, Steadfast LA brings together the expertise, influence and power of the private sector to expedite rebuilding and minimize delays. Steadfast LA is developing solutions with leaders in real estate, finance, construction and infrastructure. The coalition includes representatives from Gensler, CBRE, Parsons, Esri and Latham & Watkins LLP.

“This public-private partnership to rebuild the rec center with the city and in collaboration with civic leaders, local groups and industry experts demonstrates the vision of Steadfast LA in action,” said Caruso, chairman of Steadfast LA. “By bringing the public sector, the private sector and the community together to do this, we’re not only restoring an integral part of the Palisades, but we’re showing how we can effectively respond to this tragedy with the urgency that the moment demands. We intend to follow a similar approach on our projects in Altadena and Malibu as well.”

The announcement about the public-private partnership to rebuild the center follows news that the Los Angeles Parks Foundation has received a $1 million donation from FireAid to restore the Pacific Palisades Playground, located in the same park at 851 Alma Real Drive.

Representatives of LA Strong Sports and Steadfast LA said early design plans were created through a collaboration with the Pali Community Center Committee, Los Angeles Parks Foundation, PaliStrong, Pali 4 Pali, Jimmy Dunne, of Veterans Gardens, Bob Benton, of the Pacific Palisades Baseball Association and members of the Park Advisory Board. The coalition spent hours meeting with the groups and individuals to shape the preliminary vision for a revitalized center. Community input will continue to be solicited to refine and expand upon the plans.

For information, visit steadfastla.com, lastrongsports.org and mayor.lacity.gov.