Chelsea Piers reopened its doors Saturday afternoon more than a month after Hurricane Sandy caused damage to the popular sports mega complex.
The 28-acre West Side sports facility has been closed while workers made repairs from the storm. Hundreds of staff members began fixing the facility shortly after the floodwaters receded.
Sandy did an enormous amount of damage here as the complex took on about five feet of water during the Super Storm, but now part of Chelsea Piers is back in business.
Sandy who? That's the motto at Chelsea Piers. The 30-acre sports and entertainment complex was ravaged by the Superstorm.
But after over a month of hard work, part of the complex is now back in business.
"Everything is brand new, the walls, floors mats, surfaces, basketball courts -- everything is brand new. All the way down to the stamps the gymnastics class gets on their hands after pre-school," said Erica Schittinger.
The entire facility, all five city blocks, took on about five feet of water during Sandy.
You would never know it by looking at it now but Sandy destroyed so many parts of the Piers including the basketball courts and gymnastics field house.
"I was really happy to be back because this is where I train and this is where I go six days a week," said one a young gymnast.
"30 days ago we walked in here and it was a very different picture, it was kind of heartbreaking -- we walked in and we were surrounded by destruction," said Desiree Sanchez a gymnastics coach.
The destruction is still obvious in some areas. The bowling alley and golf club are still under construction. But Sanchez says one look around today and its clear all of the staffers hard work has definitely paid off.
"Standing in here today and seeing all the kids and their families and their faces and seeing how grateful they are -- makes all of it worth it."
The bowling alley will open up in phases starting on Monday while the golf club will open on December 15.
Admission to the facility's skating rink will be free from 1:00 p.m. to 3:50 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:51 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:51:22 GMT
Franklin Reyes, 17, was in court Wednesday. He is charged with the death of 4-year-old Ariel Russo.
Franklin Reyes, 17, was in court Wednesday. He is charged with the death of 4-year-old Ariel Russo. He is accused of driving without a license, then fleeing police, jumping a curb, and hitting Ariel and her grandmother as they were walking to school.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:13 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:13:39 GMT
The driver of the vehicle that left several people injured and a trail of destruction in the area of 2nd Avenue and East 4th Street in the East Village has been arrested.
The driver of the vehicle that left several people injured and a trail of destruction in the area of 2nd Avenue and East 4th Street in the East Village has been arrested.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:13 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:13:37 GMT
A father and son who admitted they were pimps have been acquitted in New York of sex trafficking after several prostitutes testified they were treated well.
A father and son who admitted they were pimps have been acquitted in New York of sex trafficking after several prostitutes testified they were treated well.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 7:07 AM EDT2013-06-19 11:07:13 GMT
Photo courtesy of @N42_21_W71_04)
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the morning rush.
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the morning rush. Crews have been working to repair tracks and switches after Monday's derailment.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:07 AM EDT2013-06-19 10:07:22 GMT
NYC
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, officials said last month, the number of zones would double and encompass about 600,000 more residents.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 8:34 PM EDT2013-06-19 00:34:07 GMT
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around.
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around. Now New York City has teamed up with AT&T to install 25 solar powered charging stations over the summer.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 4:55 PM EDT2013-06-18 20:55:38 GMT
A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village pleaded not guilty.
A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village afterward claimed that he opened fire because the victim "thought he was tough in front of his bitch," prosecutors said in court papers Tuesday.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:05 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:05:09 GMT
Police are looking for a man who stabbed another man in Times Square Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.The victim was stabbed in the chest, the NYPD and FDNY said.
Police are looking for a man who stabbed another man in Times Square Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.The victim was stabbed in the chest, the NYPD and FDNY said.
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