Sunshine Gospel Ministries' $36.9M Community Center Moves Closer to Reality for Washington Park
By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Washington Park ·
Big things are on the horizon for Washington Park as Sunshine Gospel Ministries pushes forward on one of the neighborhood's most anticipated developments — a three-story, $36.9 million community center set to open in late 2026 or early 2027. Planned for vacant lots bounded by 60th and 61st Streets, King Drive, and Calumet Avenue, the Sunshine Community Center is shaping up to be a true neighborhood anchor. The project received a $5 million community development grant from the City of Chicago — tied for the highest grant amount among all 14 awardees — and has already secured a
The center's plans read like a neighborhood wish list come true: a café with a performance stage, a gym with a roller skating rink, a fitness area, visual and graphic arts classrooms, a recording studio, a tech room, a demonstration kitchen, and dedicated lounges for both youth and adults. Remarkably, all public programs are slated to be free for residents, with fees only for event space and fitness center rentals. Sunshine is also partnering with NeighborSpace — which supports the King Drive Community Garden directly across the street — to integrate green space programming into the center's offerings from day one.
Washington Park residents eager to see this transformative project come to life can follow updates through the Washington Park Chamber of Commerce and attend the Washington Park Advisory Council's monthly meetings, held the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. The neighborhood's momentum is undeniable — and the best is yet to come.
Sources:
1. https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/02/07/washington-park-community-center-project-gets-5m-boost-from-city/
2. http://www.thewashingtonparkcofc.org/community-events