City residents have until Friday, Oct. 23, to choose one of two playground designs for the $9.5 million Fricker Resource Center renovation, due to reopen in 2027.

Pensacola residents have until Friday, Oct. 23, to choose the new playground at the Fricker Resource Center. The city opened the vote on Oct. 2, as the $9.5 million renovation of the center at 900 N. F St. continues.

There are two designs on the ballot, the city said in its release announcing the poll:

  • Red, White and Blue
  • Teal and Green

Voters can also weigh in on the layout, choose one more ADA-friendly feature and leave general comments. The vote is open to city residents.

What the renovation includes

The center is nearly 70 years old. The city says the work will add:

  • a senior center with health education on site
  • a career learning lab and a cyber lounge with 3D printers
  • a STEM lab
  • a multipurpose field and green space
  • more parking and better stormwater treatment
  • an updated playground that meets the Americans with Disabilities Act

The restrooms, entryways, kitchen, social hall and library are also being upgraded, the project website says.

Who is paying for it

Two grants from the Florida Department of Commerce pay for the $9.5 million project, according to the project website:

  • $5.5 million in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery money, from the Florida Department of Commerce’s Hurricane Sally Infrastructure Repair Program
  • $4 million from the department’s Multi-Purpose Community Facility program

The city’s release says the grants were awarded in 2023, and that some Local Option Sales Tax money is also going into the work. It is part of the city’s Direction 25 plan.

The project timeline put the groundbreaking in April 2026 and the end of construction in spring 2027. The center is due to reopen in summer 2027, with its after-school, senior and basketball programs back in place.

What it means for you

  • Vote online at the Fricker Center project website before the poll closes Friday, Oct. 23.
  • Questions go to the city’s public information office at pio@cityofpensacola.com or 850-435-1629.
  • Other city community centers are listed in our parks and trails guide.

The city has asked people to stay out of city parks while crews clear debris from Hurricane Isaias. The vote itself runs online. Our Isaias recovery story has the latest on closures.