Lakers coach JJ Redick unveils public-private partnership with Rick Caruso, Mayor Bass to rebuild Palisades recreation center

Pacific Palisades resident and Lakers head coach JJ Redick unveiled a public-private partnership with Rick Caruso and Mayor Karen Bass to rebuild the Palisades Recreation Center. 

In January, the Palisades Recreation Center was ravaged by the Palisades Fire and damaged. Redick, who moved back to Los Angeles last year and bought a home in the Pacific Palisades community, said the recreation center was a hub that everyone in the neighborhood enjoyed. 

Even though his family only got to enjoy it for a few months before it burned down, he said he was able to see its impact. 

At a news conference Thursday morning, Redick said about 10 days ago he launched the LA Strong Sports Foundation with a simple mission to support the development of sports programs and facilities across the city. 

Businessman Rick Caruso's organization Steadfast LA, the LA Strong Sports Foundation, Mayor Karen Bass and the city of LA are coming together for a public-private partnership. The partnership will fund the rebuilding and redesign of the recreation center. 

"We want to make sure that for the sake of our young people, we not only rebuild the rec center but that we rebuild it better," Bass said. 

Redick said when the fire first broke out, he reached out to Bass and Caruso, who have been very supportive in the rebuilding and recovery process in the Palisades.            

"The beauty of this public-private partnership is that this community will have a say in the ongoing operation and the design of this park," Caruso said. "It is going to be their community park."