Congressman Deluzio, Ambridge Leaders Celebrate More Than $1 Million in Federal Funding for New Recreation Center

AMBRIDGE PA - Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17), State Rep. Rob Matzie, and Ambridge Borough leaders and community members celebrated more than $1 million in Community Project Funding that Congressman Deluzio secured to help build a new Ambridge Borough Recreational Center. Congressman Deluzio presented a ceremonial check to Ambridge Borough for $1,015,000, and local leaders touted how the investment will make life better for the community.

The Ambridge Borough Senior/Recreation/Wellness Center will repurpose a former steel mill brownfield site into a regional facility that will promote economic development and provide recreation opportunities for surrounding communities. The current plans for the center include basketball, pickleball, and volleyball courts; batting cages; basketball shooting machines; a mini shooting gallery for volleyball, futsal, and basketball; a turf field; and multipurpose fields. It will also host sports tournaments and other services like health screenings, educational programs, and job training programs.

"I am so proud that I secured more than $1 million in federal funds for the new Ambridge Borough Recreation Center," said Congressman Deluzio. "This project will bring new opportunities to Ambridge and the surrounding area-for our kids and families, for the whole community, and for the area economy. Congratulations to Ambridge Borough on this well-earned federal funding, and thank you to State Rep. Rob Matzie for going to bat for the project in Harrisburg, too. I'll always fight down in Washington to bring home federal money to make life better for all of us in Western PA."

"This investment adds to the funding I was able to secure to help get the vision of Ambridge across the finish line," said State Representative Rob Matzie. "Working together with the congressman to support our communities allows for big things to happen and for our tax dollars at the state and federal level to make Beaver County an even better place to live, work, and raise a family."

"Ambridge is such a strong community, and having a place where neighbors can come together, where our kids can play sports, and where we can host neighborhood programming will only make our community even stronger," said Ambridge Mayor Tina Iorfido-Schmidt. "On behalf of the Borough of Ambridge: thank you to Congressman Deluzio for being our advocate in Washington and bringing home this funding to help make our dream of a Recreational Center a reality."

"Any project of this size requires partnership and collaboration across multiple levels of government. And luckily, here in Ambridge, we are fortunate to have leaders like Congressman Deluzio and State Representative Rob Matzie who know how to get stuff done," said Ambridge Borough Manager Mario Leone. "We couldn't have gotten to where we are today without their support. We look forward to celebrating with the entire community when we cut the ribbon on the finished recreational center."

"As coach, I always say that there's no limits on what kids can achieve if they work hard. But for my players to believe in themselves, they need to know that the community believes in them, too. And this investment in youth sports and our community's recreation and health sends a clear message to all our kids: we want you to be the best you can be," said Ambridge Youth Football Coach Thomas Cephas.

Congressman Deluzio's office has already brought home more than $4.6 billion in federal funds to the congressional district. He will keep up the fight to bring home resources to Western Pennsylvania, including urging the President to sign into law the $185 million in funding for four projects that the U.S. House approved last week and continuing to push for funding his other 2026 requested community projects.

Photos from the press conference are available for use by the press here.

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