Aviator Sports and Events Center, a large sports recreational complex at Floyd Bennett Field, is now under new management and will be renamed the Floyd Bennett Sports Complex.
Gateway Hospitality LLC, a subsidiary of ExplorUS, a national hospitality and recreation management company, on Monday said the company assumed operations of Aviator Sports. The transition marks a new chapter for the historic facility and its role as a destination for sports, recreation, and community engagement serving Brooklyn, the five boroughs, and the surrounding tri-state area, officials said.
The company's immediate focus is supporting existing programming, assess facility needs, strengthening community partnerships, and identifying opportunities to expand access and activity throughout the complex, according to officials.
“We understand how important this facility has been to the community and the role it has played for families across Brooklyn and beyond,” said Frank Pikus, chief executive officer of ExplorUS. “Our priority is to restore trust in the facility, support the programs and recreational opportunities the community values, and take a thoughtful approach to bringing the complex back to life in a way that reflects what this community wants and needs.”
Gateway said it is actively working with sports, recreation, and educational partners, including FC Copa, Aviator Hockey & Figure Skating LLC, Green Meadow Farms, Xavier High School, and Xavierian High School, while continuing discussions with additional organizations interested in utilizing the facility. Existing partnerships and scheduled activities will continue to be supported wherever possible throughout the transition process.
Families with questions regarding specific leagues, schedules, or programming are encouraged to look for updates from their respective organizations and league operators, which will continue providing the most current information regarding participation and scheduling, officials said.
The initial phase will focus on facility assessment, operational readiness, cleanup efforts, and identifying opportunities to safely expand community access and programming. Longer-term priorities will be guided by facility needs, community input, and operational feasibility.
Community input will play an important role in shaping the future of the complex. A dedicated email address, [email protected], has been established where families, athletes, coaches, and neighborhood stakeholders can share ideas, concerns, and suggestions. Community members can also visit https://floydbennett.com/ for facility updates, booking information and future announcements.
