The reconstruction of the Williamsbridge Oval Park recreation center is experiencing delays, angering local residents who see the park as their

own backyard. Originally scheduled to be completed in spring of 2011, the delays will push the completion date to June 2011, according to the Parks Department.

Jesslyn Moser, a Parks Department spokesperson, said the delays are due to permit approvals that take time to process and are out of the Parks Department’s control. “With winter approaching, the schedule may need to be revised to complete the full scope of work,” Moser said in an e-mail. “The contractor will be asked to submit a revised schedule with a plan to recover lost time.”

Work on the recreation center began in April and local residents are getting impatient with the slow construction pace already.

“That park was sorely missed by many families this past summer and spring who do not have the financial resources to go on vacations or cars to go elsewhere,” wrote Yvonne Bannon on the Norwood News Facebook page. “There was such an injustice done to the families of that neighborhood to begin that project and have such a slow progress. Given any summer, spring or even fall weekend, that park was very utilized. It is a shame that in the name of improvement we have to suffer.”

Annette Melendez expressed similar frustration. “My kids, along with the entire neighborhood have suffered greatly because of this. How long does it take to put a park back together, for goodness sakes,” she posted on Facebook.

Meanwhile, Dino, 48, one of the 12 construction workers on the Oval site, said his crew is on schedule to complete the park’s new playground, which will include a toddler/preschool jungle gym, challenging climbers for older children, and a water spray feature as the centerpiece of the playground.

A new basketball court complex, consisting of both full and half courts will also be installed alongside bench seating and bleachers.

The revamped recreation center will include a new heating and air conditioning system and a roof and drainage system. In addition, the granite stone façade will be fully rehabilitated and all the existing windows will be replaced with new ones. The restroom facilities on the first floor will be completely upgraded so that people will have exterior access.

The main entrance steps will be modified to include a new ramp structure for the disabled.