Olympia Park Shelter House to host athletic associations, community events in Mt. Washington

The Olympia Park Shelter House in Pittsburgh’s Mt. Washington will once again serve as a community space.

The building, which closed after a fire in 2009, will house athletic associations and community and private events.

City leaders unveiled the newly renovated space this week.

“This facility has been transformed and revived based on the community’s vision,” said Chris Hornstein, director of the Department of Public Works.

Renovations included new doors, new windows and mechanical work, he said. The $1.6 million project started in earnest last spring, he said, though crews had done some work in 2013 and 2014 to stabilize the structure.

Built in 1912, the building had served as a recreational and community center and a day care.

Since the space was shuttered over a decade ago, the Mt. Washington community hasn’t had many venues for community activities, Council President Theresa Kail-Smith said. Aside from the Ream Recreation Center and a senior center, there weren’t many places for events such as community meetings or birthday parties, she said.

“This allows that to happen,” she said.

The lower floor will house various athletic associations, while the top floor can be rented out for various events, Hornstein said.

Mayor Ed Gainey touted the significance of having spaces such as the Olympia Park Shelter House where community members can gather and local youth can participate in positive activities.

“It’s spots like this that help public safety save lives,” the mayor said. “We’re building a community where people feel safe because they get to know one another. They begin to thrive. That’s why something like this is important.”