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.
Friday, May 24 2013 7:32 AM EDT2013-05-24 11:32:02 GMT
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not so perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this weekend following the destruction and rebuilding due to superstorm Sandy.
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not so perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this weekend following the destruction and rebuilding due to superstorm Sandy.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:29 AM EDT2013-05-24 10:29:05 GMT
AP photo
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested Thursday for allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building and throwing a marijuana bong out of a window, said police.
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested Thursday for allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building and throwing a marijuana bong out of a window, said police.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:04 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:04:45 GMT
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:50 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:50:04 GMT
Heavy downpours sparked flash flooding across the tristate area on Thursday. The National Weather Service issued numerous weather alerts for many counties in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Heavy downpours sparked flash flooding across the tristate area on Thursday. The National Weather Service issued numerous weather alerts for many counties in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Thursday, May 23 2013 1:43 PM EDT2013-05-23 17:43:15 GMT
Kerry Kennedy has joined farmworkers protesting outside Wendy's shareholder meeting in Manhattan.
Kerry Kennedy has joined farmworkers protesting outside Wendy's shareholder meeting in Manhattan. The protesters said Thursday they want Wendy's to sign an agreement to safeguard working conditions for Florida tomato pickers.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:07 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:07:03 GMT
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police.
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police. The incident Monday night involved two men, who police say, had met at the Bowery Mission and went out drinking together in the East Village. Roman Gornell, 39, was arrested on Wednesday.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:46 PM EDT2013-05-23 01:46:23 GMT
The New York City Police Department says it is beefing up security at the British consulate, military recruiting stations and other locations due to an apparent terror attack in London.
The New York City Police Department says it is beefing up security at the British consulate, military recruiting stations and other locations due to an apparent terror attack in London.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:27 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:27:26 GMT
Black and Hispanic men are more likely to be stopped in the Bronx and Brooklyn than other boroughs, according to an analysis of police street stop data released Wednesday by the New York Civil Liberties Union.
Black and Hispanic men are more likely to be stopped in the Bronx and Brooklyn than other boroughs, according to an analysis of police street stop data released Wednesday by the New York Civil Liberties Union.
