Celebrated Non-Profit Brings Decades of Experience Operating World-Class Facilities and a Deep Commitment to Accessibility
Major R. Owens Health and Wellness Community Center in Central Brooklyn is pleased to announce that Asphalt Green, New York City’s premier nonprofit sports and fitness organization, will become the center’s next operator, effective on February 1, 2025. The transition reflects the growth and maturation of the Major R. Owens Health and Wellness Community Center and its continuing commitment to excellence for the community. Since its inception, the Major R. Owens Health and Wellness Community Center has been operated by The Boys’ Club of New York, a nonprofit with 148 years of experience bringing boys and young men inclusive, accessible, and free youth development programs, whose commitment to community was clear from day one and who have led and steered the Center with excellence.
With this change of operator, the Major R. Owens Health and Wellness Community Center reaffirms its commitment to Crown Heights and beyond by selecting Asphalt Green and its unwavering commitment to excellence, accessibility, and creating inclusive, community-driven spaces where fitness, wellness, and sports thrive to lead the Center forward into its next chapter.
Through this new partnership, the Major R. Owens Health and Wellness Community Center looks to Asphalt Green to leverage their deep expertise in youth sports, adult fitness and community programming as well as uphold its core values of inclusivity and excellence, making world-class fitness and sports programming even more accessible to the surrounding community.
“The Major R. Owens Health and Wellness Community Center is the crown jewel of the Crown Heights neighborhood with a culture of inclusion,” said Don Capoccia, Managing Partner at BFC Partners. “We thank the Boys’ Club of New York City for its leadership and commitment to the Center since day one and look forward to Asphalt Green bringing its expertise in fitness and community programming, combined with its commitment to accessibility, will ensure that this center will continue to be a world-class destination for healthy living and wellness in Central Brooklyn.”
“Asphalt Green has always been driven by our mission to provide high-quality sports and fitness programs for all New Yorkers, regardless of background or ability. We are thrilled to bring that same dedication to the Major R. Owens Community Center,” said Jordan Brackett, CEO of Asphalt Green. “Our goal is to build on the center’s rich history by enhancing its programming, ensuring accessibility for all, and delivering the highest standards of excellence.”
As operator of the facility, Asphalt Green is committed to working directly with the center’s current tenants and the Crown Heights community to ensure it activates the center in ways that are meaningful and impactful for the people of Central Brooklyn. “We believe that listening to the community is the key to ensuring that the Major R. Owens Community Center remains a place where everyone feels welcomed and supported,” said Brackett. “Our programming will be driven by the dreams and desires of the Crown Heights community, and we are eager to work hand-in-hand to bring those visions to life.”
Over the last three years, the Major R. Owens Community Center has become foundation of the neighborhood, bringing accessible programs, athletics, health and fitness to people of all ages,” said Stephen Tosh, CEO and Executive Director of The Boys’ Club of New York (BCNY). “We are proud of our team that led with excellence and dedication to community, ensuring BCNY fulfilled its commitment to supporting The Major Owens’ mission to serve Crown Heights. It has been an honor to partner with the communities of Brooklyn and we are confident Asphalt Green will ensure the Major Owens Community Center’s continued growth and success.”
“The selection of a longstanding New York City organization like Asphalt Green as operator of The Major R. Owens Health and Wellness Community Center will further cement the center as an inclusive, wellness-centered hub in Central Brooklyn,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President & CEO Andrew Kimball. “NYCEDC is excited to see an increase in community-driven programming help this remarkable space continue to make the area a great place to live, work, play, and learn.”
“As we enter into this new chapter at the Major R. Owens Community Center, we will continue to be guided by the principles of Health and Wellness,” said Joseph Coello Sr., Chairman, Major R. Owens Health and Wellness Community Center. “The Major Owens Community Advisory Board thanks the Boys Club of New York and looks forward to working closely alongside Asphalt Green for the continued benefit of all community stakeholders in Crown Heights and Central Brooklyn!”
About The Major R. Owens Health and Wellness Community Center
The Major Owens Health and Wellness Community Center was named in honor of the late U.S. Congressman Major Owens, a longtime advocate for education, civil rights, and community health. Located in the historic Bedford-Union Armory in Crown Heights, the center was established to address the pressing need for accessible, affordable health, and wellness services in Central Brooklyn. The redevelopment of the Bedford-Union Armory, which houses the Major Owens Community Center, was spearheaded by BFC Partners, a renowned New York-based real estate development firm. In partnership with the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC), BFC Partners transformed the historic armory site into a vibrant, multifaceted community resource center that includes affordable housing, recreational facilities, and wellness services. This public-private partnership reflects a shared commitment to revitalizing Central Brooklyn while ensuring that community needs remain at the forefront of the project.
About Asphalt Green
Asphalt Green is a not-for-profit organization that transforms lives and builds community through sports, fitness, and play for all. We offer world-class fitness memberships, nationally competitive sports and aquatics teams, recreational sports, and leading camp programs that empower our community members to live active and healthier lives. In addition, our unique model uses funds raised from fee-based programing to provide free and low-cost programs to those with limited access to high-quality fitness and recreational programs.
With a longstanding track record of providing top-quality fitness services and accessible programming, Asphalt Green is excited to expand its reach and deepen its impact on Brooklyn’s residents. The organization currently runs free community sports programming in several Brooklyn city council districts, serving nearly 6,000 young people.
Asphalt Green has been a leader in New York City’s health and fitness landscape for over 30 years, operating flagship locations on the Upper East Side and in Battery Park City and programming in nearly 90 satellite locations across the five boroughs. With the addition of the Major Owens Community Center, Asphalt Green is expanding its mission to serve even more New Yorkers, with an emphasis on equity, community engagement, and healthy living.
About NYCEDC
New York City Economic Development Corporation is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization that works for a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers. We take a comprehensive approach, through four main strategies: strengthen confidence in NYC as a great place to do business; grow innovative sectors with a focus on equity; build neighborhoods as places to live, learn, work, and play; and deliver sustainable infrastructure for communities and the city’s future economy. To learn more about what we do, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
