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Saginaw’s Civitan Recreation Center: A Second Chance at Revival

From Neglect to New Beginnings

A beacon of local sports and community gatherings, Saginaw’s Civitan Recreation Center, now in ruins, has been sold for just $1 to The Seals Group, a hometown business led by Eugene Seals Jr. After years of decay and failed revival attempts, this deal could finally breathe life back into the iconic structure.

The new owners have 90 days to back out—but if they commit, they’ll have three years to transform the place. Their to-do list is ambitious:

• Cleaning up pollution
• Repairing warped floors
• Adding new parking
• Reviving basketball programs—a staple of the center’s legacy

A History of Hope—and Setbacks

This isn’t the first attempt to resurrect the Civitan.

• 2018: Former NFL player LaMarr Woodley’s foundation took over with grand promises, but the project collapsed, and the city reclaimed the building.
• 2023: Another sale attempt failed.

Now, Seals’ group carries the torch—but will they succeed where others have stumbled?

More Than Just a Gym: A Community Icon

Built in 1948 and expanded in 1976, the Civitan wasn’t merely a training facility—it was a cultural landmark.

• Legendary players like Draymond Green sharpened their skills here.
• Tournaments and pick-up games filled its courts.
• Youth programs and even a Thanksgiving food giveaway kept its doors open after the city closed it in 2003.

Yet today, the building tells a different story: broken windows, rotting floors, and decades of abandonment.

Can This Be the Revival Saginaw Hopes For?

The task ahead is monumental: ✅ Funding must be secured ✅ Community support is crucial ✅ Past mistakes must be avoided

The question remains: Will the Civitan finally rise again—or fade into another forgotten chapter?