Construction Begins On New Navy Federal Recreation Center

July 26, 2022

Site work is underway on the new Navy Federal Recreation Center just west of the credit union’s campus on Nine Mile Road.

“I am thrilled to see this work underway,” said Kara Cardona, executive vice president of Navy Federal’s Greater Pensacola Operations. “As we continue to welcome back our team members to campus, this recreation facility will play an important role in giving our teams a place to connect and enjoy those moments that matter. We also see this supporting our organization’s focus of employee wellness.”

The Navy Federal Recreation Center will feature a wide variety of ways for people to enjoy the outdoors. The design includes: walking trails, recreation fields, basketball court, a volleyball court, yoga space, a pavilion and some open spaces. The project will also allow the credit union to add parking spaces.

Escambia County Board of County Commissioners agreed to sell the land, which had been acquired to facilitate quality of life improvements, amenities and job growth, to Navy Federal in 2019. In return for the ability to purchase 98 acres adjoining its campus, Navy Federal committed to the creation of 300 new jobs, which was fulfilled in 2021, and also agreed to providing some public access to the recreation area when not in use by the credit union.

“We are on pace to complete the project by the middle of next year, said Kelly Osburn, facilities manager at Navy Federal. “Amenities, including walking trails and open spaces, would be available to the public during the park’s operating hours. Other features, ranging from the pavilion and ball fields, may be reservable by the public when not in use by the credit union, similar to how Escambia County manages reservable recreation and outdoor space.”

“The Navy Federal Recreation Center will be the perfect complement to the $1 billion investment we’ve made in our Pensacola campus. We feel the community will really benefit from the amenities they’ll be able to enjoy once the park opens next year,” Cardona said.

Photos/images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

16 Responses to “Construction Begins On New Navy Federal Recreation Center”

  1. Ryan S on July 27th, 2022 11:21 pm

    I guess one positive about this being a privately owned park and not county/city is the homeless will not be allowed to loiter here because law enforcement can legally ask them to leave. It seems like just about every public park or space in Escambia south of Nine Mile has been taken over by homeless, leaving locals nowhere to go.

    A frisbee golf course around the pond would also be a welcome amenity.

  2. SCPO(Ret)Don cooper on July 27th, 2022 10:18 pm

    NICK, I use an ATM and I often make cash transactions. I am old fashioned. There are many of us left that are this way. I know this to be true because there are always two or three cars in front of me at the “ATM.” One day we will be gone and so will the ATM’s.

  3. M. Brown on July 27th, 2022 8:44 pm

    100% Agree with you Henry Coe!

  4. Henry Coe on July 27th, 2022 7:02 pm

    Re:Nick, Some of the people who use ATM’s are business owners who need to make deposits. People who would use a Drive Up ATM would also include folks who are disabled (like Veterans and/or the Elderly). Drive up ATM’s can also be used by those who don’t feel safe having to walk between parking and the ATM.
    A Drive UP ATM could also help people avoid that one (discourteous) person who decides they have to enter the ATM lobby and look over your shoulder or breath down your neck while you are making a transaction.

  5. Nick on July 27th, 2022 11:12 am

    Who uses ATMs anymore?

  6. Tim on July 27th, 2022 11:02 am

    Will there be access from Frank Reader rd via walking or parking?

  7. Debbie on July 27th, 2022 8:01 am

    Could you please build some pickleball courts
    We need them in this area so bad

  8. Derrick on July 27th, 2022 7:11 am

    I know u not building nothing when most banks are 20 minutes from peoples homes I don’t need a gym I need closer bank location

  9. Good grief on July 26th, 2022 11:11 pm

    @Henry I agree!
    @Member, rude!

  10. RaD on July 26th, 2022 6:21 pm

    Congratulations to NFCU on this new addition (no, I do not work or have an account there). I am sure your employees will enjoy the amenities and it looks like the local community will benefit as well. Thanks for making Pensacola your home.

  11. Don cooper on July 26th, 2022 1:21 pm

    A Drive up ATM is much safer than a walk up ATM.

  12. Think before you Post on July 26th, 2022 12:08 pm

    @ Member – some folks would LOVE to get off their “precious hiney and walk” but are unable to because they are disabled. Be glad you CAN get up and walk.

  13. Kane on July 26th, 2022 11:03 am

    @Henry Coe Best comment ever XD

  14. Olin Schultz on July 26th, 2022 9:22 am

    Good idea Henry. That is a big benefit for the members.

  15. Member on July 26th, 2022 9:01 am

    Most ATMs are drive up. It’s called drive up to the ATM, then get off your precious hiney and walk.

  16. Henry Coe on July 26th, 2022 5:55 am

    Sure would be nice, being community minded and all, if you folks could figure out a way to use just a pinch of your property to install a drive up ATM.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News