MYFOXNY.COM -
Chelsea Piers reopened its doors Saturday afternoon more than a month after Hurricane Sandy caused damage to the popular sports mega complex.
The 28-acre West Side sports facility has been closed while workers made repairs from the storm. Hundreds of staff members began fixing the facility shortly after the floodwaters receded.
Sandy did an enormous amount of damage here as the complex took on about five feet of water during the Super Storm, but now part of Chelsea Piers is back in business.
Sandy who? That's the motto at Chelsea Piers. The 30-acre sports and entertainment complex was ravaged by the Superstorm.
But after over a month of hard work, part of the complex is now back in business.
"Everything is brand new, the walls, floors mats, surfaces, basketball courts -- everything is brand new. All the way down to the stamps the gymnastics class gets on their hands after pre-school," said Erica Schittinger.
The entire facility, all five city blocks, took on about five feet of water during Sandy.
You would never know it by looking at it now but Sandy destroyed so many parts of the Piers including the basketball courts and gymnastics field house.
"I was really happy to be back because this is where I train and this is where I go six days a week," said one a young gymnast.
"30 days ago we walked in here and it was a very different picture, it was kind of heartbreaking -- we walked in and we were surrounded by destruction," said Desiree Sanchez a gymnastics coach.
The destruction is still obvious in some areas. The bowling alley and golf club are still under construction. But Sanchez says one look around today and its clear all of the staffers hard work has definitely paid off.
"Standing in here today and seeing all the kids and their families and their faces and seeing how grateful they are -- makes all of it worth it."
The bowling alley will open up in phases starting on Monday while the golf club will open on December 15.
Admission to the facility's skating rink will be free from 1:00 p.m. to 3:50 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
