Mayor Wu’s office says the Mattahunt Community Center in Mattapan is on track to re-open in the new year after an extensive renovation project that has been hindered by significant delays. The work at the city-owned facility in Mattapan, which includes a gymnasium and swimming pool, has been ongoing for several years.

The community center, which is located in the Mattahunt Elementary School, was expected to re-open last summer. Last week, the city’s Public Facilities Department approved another expenditure worth more than $144,000 to pay fees to contractors.

“Supply chain issues and worker shortages have led to significant project delays, but the community center is on track to be open to the public in early 2024,” said a spokesperson for Mayor Wu.

The latest contract extension for Studio Enée, the project manager, marked the fourth time the project has gone to the Facilities office for more money and an extension – the first time occurring in July 2020. Last February, an amendment to the contract featured a promise by the general contractor to finish by July 30, which didn’t happen. However, additional design services and change orders were put into place for the gym, pool, fire suppression system, and more accessibility features.

The change order approved on Dec. 13 included a final completion date of next March 31. However, Wu’s office said it should open sooner.

“While the amendment that was approved on Wednesday extends the City’s ability to contract for services related to the Mattahunt Community Center renovation through March 2024, the renovation work is expected to reach completion in January 2024,” said a mayoral spokesperson. “The extension of the contract is to allow for the closeout phase of the project and final payments to the designer for services. Once the building construction is complete, BCYF will need a few weeks to get the site ready for public programming.”

The Facilities Department did show photographs of the restored lobby, gym, and other amenities. “What we envisioned has now come to fruition,” said project manager James Sessum.