DETROIT – Detroit’s Cody Rouge neighborhood will soon have a new hub for youth recreation, education and community engagement as construction kicked off this week on the Brennan Recreation Center at Rouge Park.
Community members gathered with local dignitaries and project stakeholders on Thursday to celebrate the latest phase of the project, with construction expected to conclude by the fall of next year.
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The new 25,000-square-foot center will house multi-use sports courts for indoor athletics and programs, community rooms and flexible programming spaces, a kitchen space to host family events, gatherings or community classes, and much more.
Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores’ Family Foundation has committed $20 million to support the project’s construction.
The Brennan Center will be the first indoor community center in Detroit’s District 7, helping to fill a longstanding gap in youth and community programming opportunities on the city’s west side.
“For years, District 7 has been the only district in Detroit without an indoor community center for youth and families,” said Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield on Thursday. “This facility will provide young people, families and seniors with a safe, modern space to grow, stay active and connect with positive opportunities year-round.”
The city of Detroit and the Detroit Pistons have held a series of planning and engagement sessions with community members since the project was first announced to get important feedback on facility design, amenities and future programming. Through those discussions, project leaders were able to identify education, mentorship, workforce development, life skills training, financial literacy and access to safe spaces as key priorities for the space.
“We’re creating a place where young people can discover new interests, build confidence, develop skills, and find mentors to help them reach their full potential, ”Gores said in a news release on Thursday. “I’m proud to help bring that to this neighborhood.”
In addition to the $20 million in funding, Gores says he plans to “leverage the full weight of his organization and its corporate and community partners to maximize its impact through programming and other added resources.”
The building will sit on the north side of the park off Plymouth Road and adjacent to Brennan Pool, which remains closed for the 2026 season while the project is under construction.