After months of construction fences and detours, the Colonel Irving Salomon San Ysidro Community Activity Center reopened yesterday, flipping the lights back on for youth programs and drop-in sports in the neighborhood. The city says the $5.8 million makeover delivered a new multi-purpose sports court, an accessible playground, upgraded restrooms and a resurfaced parking lot, capped off with a small reopening gathering of neighbors and city staff.
Mayor Todd Gloria declared the center was back in a post on X, publicly thanking the City of San Diego for the $5.8 million investment and acknowledging support from Rep. Juan Vargas, according to the mayor’s post on X. His update featured ribbon-cutting photos and a short note celebrating the refreshed community hub.
San Ysidro's Community Activity Center is back!
— San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria (@MayorToddGloria) July 28, 2026
Thanks to a $5.8 million investment by @CityofSanDiego and support from @RepJuanVargas, the center now features a new playground, sports court, improved accessibility, and upgraded amenities.#ForAllofUs pic.twitter.com/nO5HrxYqM6
What changed at the center
The project scope, listed on the city’s website, puts the price tag at $5.8 million and spells out a long list of upgrades: accessible walkways, updated restrooms, new site furnishings and that multi-purpose sports court at the heart of the improvements. The facility, at 179 Diza Road, is managed by the Parks & Recreation Department, which directs residents to call 619-534-3377 for program schedules, according to the City of San Diego.
Funding and partners
City reporting shows most of the work was bankrolled with roughly a $4 million U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant, backed up by San Ysidro Urban Community funds, capital outlay dollars and park development impact fees. Those combined sources covered the accessibility upgrades and new amenities highlighted at the reopening, according to Inside San Diego.
Neighborhood reaction and next steps
Public radio station KPBS noted that an event was held at the center today to mark the improvements and spotlighted the refurbished court and new playground as big wins for families and youth in San Ysidro, according to KPBS.
The renovated center is set to return to regular programming in the coming days. Anyone looking to reserve space or check class schedules can call the center at 619-424-0472 or Parks & Recreation at 619-534-3377. Additional project documents and the full site plan are posted on the city’s recreation page for neighbors who want a deeper look at what went into the overhaul.
