Popack Donates Locker Rooms

A Crown Heights recreation center has added further utilities to accommodate local residents and children thanks to a private donation.

Real estate developer Yossi Popack visited the center Friday, located in the Oholei Torah Educational Institute, to inaugurate new locker and changing rooms.

“This is the only outlet here that’s available for the Jewish public so people don’t need to go out of the neighborhood,” Popack told COLlive.com.

He was flanked by Moshe Rubashkin and Dr. Tzvi Lang, who rented the facilities in 2008 as members of Vaad Hakohol – Crown Heights Jewish Community Council.

60 lockers and 6 newly-designed changing booths, 6 showers and 4 bathrooms will now be at the disposal of the visitors.

It was constructed by Zalman Lezell, a Popack employee, and Yankee Sufrin who did the engineering and design work pro bono.

Popack said he will also donate the retiling of the pool walls, renovating the gym and adding rooms for workout.

“It’s admirable to see what he is doing for the community,” Rubashkin said of Popack.

“He gives his heart and not only money. He dedicates time and is open for all. We also bless his father with arichus yamim and nachas.”

Rabbi Sholom Rosenfeld, Director of Oholei Torah and a Kohen, used the opportunity to bless Popack.

“He is the ideal Yisachar-Zevulun partnership,” he said.

They also thanked Mottel Bronstein of the Oholei Torah building management who is oversees the facilities.