RIBBON CUTTING FOR RENOVATED
WINDHAM COURTS SET FOR SATURDAY

High Class Project Sparked Effort to Renovate Dilapidated Community Courts

PORTLAND, ME (May 13, 2011) – The Maine Red Claws, presented by Quirk Chevrolet, will take part in the official ribbon cutting at a newly renovated community basketball courts tomorrow morning at 10:30 AM. The Red Claws joined the efforts of two Windham High School students to renovate dilapidated public basketball courts, which were unsafe and in severe disrepair, located near the Manchester Elementary School in Windham. With spring arriving early to Maine, the project was able to be completed several weeks ahead of schedule.

The renovation project was first proposed by Windham High School students Matt Dyer and Matt Desmond, who worked on their proposal as part of an entrepreneurship class. After contacting several Windham businesses and arranging to have much of the work and materials donated or discounted, the two students contacted the Red Claws last fall to assist with fundraising for the project.

“I was impressed with their drive, organization and determination, and after witnessing the sorry state of the courts, we were more than happy to jump on board with the project,” said Red Claws President and General Manager. “With the collaboration between Matt Dyer, Matt Desmond, the Red Claws and the town of Windham, this project really came together fairly quickly, and we are excited that the kids in the Windham area will have two brand-new courts to play on this summer.”

With cracked pavement filled with weeds and broken or missing hoops, the courts were not usable prior to the renovations. The entire surface was repaved to allow for two high school regulation courts with brand new goals and a separate area for street hockey. The surrounding area was improved with increased visibility and lighting.

Several area businesses pledged funding for the renovations, even before the project was formally announced, among them Mercy Hospital, Quirk Chevrolet, the Town of Windham Parks and Recreation Department, Rampart Bituminous, and D&J Excavating. Any additional funding will go towards continued improvements to the courts, including player benches, spectator seating and improvements to the access road.