Daniel J. Keating Co.

Owner:

Philadelphia Water Department

Architect:

Hazen and Sawyer, PC

Scope Of Work

As General Contractor, Daniel J. Keating demolished and replaced the existing center at Venice Island with a state-of-the-art recreation and performing arts facility. The facilities were designed with community input to ensure that they meet the needs of the surrounding area.

In order to complete the project, the existing recreation facilities at Venice Island were demolished and replaced.

Improvements include a 250-seat performing arts theater; the jewel of the island’s new recreation center. It also houses a multi-purpose recreation building where community meetings and after-school events for children are held. The area also houses athletic fields; a kid’s spray pool; small stations that will educate visitors about rainwater recycling; an all-green pumping station; and a 25,000-square-foot park.

Also included in this unique project that sits adjacent to the Schuylkill River was the construction of a concrete basin under the parking lot that is capable of storing nearly four million gallons of water that is later pumped out and directed to a treatment plant. The purpose of the enclosed basin is to temporarily store diverted flow from the sanitary interceptor sewer during intense rain storms.

This project is one component of the Philadelphia Water Department’s efforts to protect and improve the health of the Schuylkill River, a source of drinking water for the City of Philadelphia. A healthy river provides habitat for plants and animals, supports recreational activities such as boating and fishing, and strengthens communities through the value of natural resources.

Successful coordination between several public stakeholders, i.e., The City of Philadelphia and The Philadelphia Water Department, Philadelphia Department of Parks & Recreation and the Manayunk Neighbor’s Council