Michelle and Barack Obama Sports Complex
{{Short description|Sports complex in Baldwin Hills, LA, USA}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox building
| name = Michelle and Barack Obama Sports Complex
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| image = Michelle and Barack Obama Sports Complex, 2022.jpg
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| image_caption = The complex in 2022
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| coordinates = {{coord|34.02235856032019|-118.35170583177882|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| former_names = Rancho Cienega Recreation Center
| alternate_names = Obama Sports Complex
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| status = Opened
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| address = 5001 Obama Boulevard
| location_city = Los Angeles, California
| location_country = United States
| namesake = Michelle and Barack Obama
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| start_date = 1936
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| completion_date = 1937
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| renovation_date = 2015–2022
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| architecture_firm = Studio Pali Fekete Architects
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The Michelle and Barack Obama Sports Complex, previously known as the Rancho Cienega Recreation Center, is a multibuilding sports complex in Baldwin Hills, Los Angeles.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/21/realestate/west-adams-los-angeles-prices-rise-with-the-neighborhoods-popularity.html|title=West Adams, Los Angeles: Prices Rise With the Neighborhood's Popularity|author=Stone, Abigail|date=April 21, 2020|website=The New York Times}} The complex is named after Michelle and Barack Obama, where Barack Obama held a rally at the center in 2007.{{cite web|url=https://la.urbanize.city/post/rancho-cienega-sports-complex-renovation-continues-baldwin-hills|title=Rancho Cienega Sports Complex Renovation Continues in Baldwin Hills|date=April 27, 2020|author=Sharp, Steven|website=Urbanize LA}} The complex neighbors Susan Miller Dorsey High School, who is partnered with it for its use in school events.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-mar-21-sp-19620-story.html|title=Waters Are Unfamiliar, but Synchro Swans Dive In|date=March 21, 1999|author=Pucin, Dianne|website=Los Angeles Times}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/13/sports/los-angeles-youth-football.html|title=Once a Youth Football Mecca, L.A. Now Struggles to Find Kids Who'll Play|author=Morgan, Emmanuel|date=February 13, 2022|website=The New York Times}}
History
File:Rancho Cienega Sports Center signage, 2014.jpg
In 1936, plans for what would become the Rancho Cienega Playground was laid out, with construction beginning that same year.{{cite web|url=https://www.laparks.org/sites/default/files/pdf/commissioner/2016/dec14/16-250.pdf|title=RANCHO CIENEGA SPORTS COMPLEX (PHASE 1 – PRJ20308) (PHASE 2 – PRJ21049) (W.O. #E1907694) – ADOPT THE INITIAL STUDY AND MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION|page=47|date=December 14, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://livingnewdeal.org/projects/rancho-cienega-playground-los-angeles-ca/|title=RANCHO CIENEGA PLAYGROUND – LOS ANGELES CA|author=Laverdiere, Andrew|date=December 26, 2015|website=The Living New Deal}} In 1937, the newly opened Susan Miller Dorsey High School partnered with the center to host its sporting events.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78353616/partnership-with-ranch-cienega/|title=School Will Use New Stadium|date=February 7, 1938|newspaper=Los Angeles Daily News}}{{cite web|url=https://southlarecap.com/2021/06/29/susan-miller-dorsey-high-school-a-brief-history/|title=Susan Miller Dorsey High School: A Brief History|author=Craig, Eric|website=The South LA Recap|date=June 29, 2021 }} Sports coach Benny Lefebvre served as a playground supervisor for the park in the 1930s.{{Cite web|url=https://sabr.org/journal/article/the-sandlot-mentors-of-los-angeles/|website=Society for American Baseball Research|title=The Sandlot Mentors of Los Angeles |author=Obrand, Rick}} In 1998, the pool at the Center was renamed to the Celes King III Swimming Pool, honoring the businessman.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-nov-10-me-41325-story.html|title=Bringing a New Cool to the Pool|date=November 10, 1998|website=Los Angeles Times|author=Yang, Eleanor}}
In 2007 presidential candidate Barack Obama held a rally at the Rancho Cienega Recreation Center in the beginning of his campaign.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-obama-boulevard-20180829-story.html|title=Supporters praise newly minted Obama Boulevard in 'iconic black community'|author=Reyes-Velarde, Alejandra; Panzar, Javier|date=August 29, 2018|website=Los Angeles Times}} In 2013, the Los Angeles Dodgers alongside the LA84 Foundation dedicated a Dodgers Dreamfield in the Center, with the field being the 30th Dreamfield they had unveiled.{{cite web|url=https://lasentinel.net/new-dodgers-dreamfields-at-rancho-cienega-recreation-center.html|title=New Dodgers Dreamfields at Rancho Cienega Recreation Center|date=October 3, 2013|website=Los Angeles Sentinel}}
= Renovation and renaming =
In 2015 Studio Pali Fekete Architects were selected by the City of Los Angeles to expand and redevelop the Rancho Cienega Sports Complex, which would be renamed the Michelle and Barack Obama Sports Complex in honor of Michelle and Barack Obama.{{cite web|url=https://www.spfa.com/work/obama-sports-complex|title=Michelle and Barack Obama Sports Complex|website=Studio Pali Fekete Architects}} The project would be designed to meet LEED silver certification and have a net zero energy use.{{cite web|url=https://cd10.lacity.org/articles/preview-michelle-and-barack-obama-sports-complex-rancho-cienega-park|title=Preview of the Michelle and Barack Obama Sports Complex at Rancho Cienega Park|date=August 13, 2021|website=Los Angeles City Council District 10}} In April 2021, it was reported that the project was 95% complete and would be finished during the summer.{{cite web|url=https://la.urbanize.city/post/obama-sports-center-update-baldwin-hills|title=Obama Sports Center revamp 75 percent complete in Baldwin Hills|date=April 12, 2021|author=Sharp, Steven|website=Urbanize LA}}
On June 29, 2022 the new Michelle and Barack Obama Sports Complex was inaugurated.{{cite web|url=https://archinect.com/news/article/150315148/spf-a-s-new-obama-sports-complex-is-inaugurated-in-los-angeles|title=SPF:a's new Obama Sports Complex is inaugurated in Los Angeles|author=Niland, Josh|date=June 29, 2022|website=Archinect}} It now includes over 24 acres with an indoor gym and two high school basketball courts as well as a mezzanine walking track and a new Olympic-size pool.{{cite web|url=https://lasentinel.net/despite-controversies-wesson-marks-multiple-successes-in-cd-10.html|title=Despite Controversies, Wesson Marks Multiple Successes in CD 10|date=June 30, 2022|author=Jackson-Fossett, Cora|website=Los Angeles Sentinel}} The court was renovated as a part of the city and the Los Angeles Clippers's efforts to renovate all 350 courts in Los Angeles.{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/clippers/news/la-clippers-and-city-los-angeles-complete-renovations-350-clippers-community-courts|title=LA Clippers And City of Los Angeles Complete Renovations on 350 Clippers Community Courts|date=June 28, 2022|website=NBA}} In July 7, 2022, the complex opened to the public.{{cite web|url=https://lasentinel.net/obama-sports-complex-opens-to-the-public.html|title=Obama Sports Complex Opens to the Public |author=Shelby, Kimberly|date=July 7, 2022|website=Los Angeles Sentinel}}
Facilities
The facilities include a 23,000-square-foot [CONVERT] pool facility, a 16,000-square-foot [CONVERT] basketball gymnasium, a raised walking track, a tennis center and stadium, and an enclosed garden. The facilities are pre-engineered manufactured buildings so it would be cost-effective.{{cite web|url=https://www.e-architect.com/losangeles/rancho-cienega-sports-complex-building|title=Rancho Cienega Sports Complex Building|date=July 30, 2018|website=e-architect}}