Closed Detroit rec center to see upgrades, new programs

DETROIT (AP) - Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, Detroit Free Press columnist Mitch Albom and city officials have announced a $10 million plan to update the Lipke Recreation Center.

Details were released Tuesday and include a new football and soccer fields, indoor practice facility and an ice rink.

The plan is partly supported by Stafford's Score7 Charitable Fund.

Budget cuts forced the city to close Lipke more than a year ago. The eastside center could reopen by the fall.

Albom's S.A.Y. Detroit foundation will run the programs at the center and oversee the physical improvements to the facility.

About $2.5 million has been committed so far. Private donations are expected to make up the rest of the funding.

The plan has been presented to the City Council, which must approve it.