Ribbon Cutting and Community Celebration
on Thursday, July 10, 2025
On Wednesday, July 9, we celebrated the opening of our brand-new, outdoor, pickleball and basketball courts and the start of our Summer Nights Sports program for Springfield youth.
We were joined by more than 150 members, donors, supporters, and other friends for a wonderful evening of connection and community, which finished - of course - with everyone making the most of the new courts.
Thank you to everyone who celebrated with us, including Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Senator Jake Oliveira, Representative Carlos González, and Representative Brian M. Ashe.
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The completion of the new Outdoor Basketball and Pickleball Center marks a significant milestone in the JCC's on-going Be Our Best capital campaign to update our amenities and meet the community need for modern spaces where local people, from all walks of life, can meet to connect, grow, and stay healthy. The new center offers eight pickleball courts and a full-size basketball court, which are open to JCC members and the general public of all ages and skill levels. Browse our website to find out more about pickleball and basketball at the J.
The Summer Nights Sports program is a new sports and recreation program for Springfield youth aged 13+, led by student athletes from American International College. The project, which is grant-funded by the Department of Recreation and Conservation’s Summer Nights program and the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership, aims to engage local youth in a wide range of sports and recreational activities including basketball, pickleball, and swimming. It will also use sports as a platform to encourage healthy habits while enhancing students’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Chile Salazar, Chief Development Officer at the Springfield JCC, explained: "This event marks more than the opening of our new outdoor courts - it celebrates our commitment to creating safe, inclusive spaces for all. With the launch of our Summer Nights Sports program, we’re proud to welcome Springfield teens to a place where they can build skills, connect with mentors, and truly belong. It will be deeply inspiring to see a seasoned pickleball player sharing the court with a 14-year-old holding a paddle for the very first time - this is the spirit of community in action."
Get involved! If you have already contributed to our Be Our Best Capital Campaign - THANK YOU. Your generosity made this milestone possible. We’re deeply grateful for your commitment to building a vibrant future for our community. If you are considering getting involved, there are many meaningful ways to support the campaign - from making a gift, to spreading the word, to helping us connect with others who share our vision. Please contact Chile Salazar, Chief Development Officer at the JCC by email or by calling 413-739-4715.
Our Celebration was featured on 22 News - watch the feature here. And in The Reminder - read the article here.
More photos are available on our Facebook page here and here.
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