Boys and Girls Club

Matt Brooks

On the eve of the 2023-24 NBA regular season, the Denver Nuggets made a return to a familiar place: the Arthur E. Johnson Boys and Girls Club. There, the franchise unveiled the brand-new Nuggets outdoor Sport Court in the Club's backyard. Funding was raised from Nuggets playoff activations last season.

"I want to thank Kroenke Sports Entertainment and Kroenke Sports Charities for their incredible support over the years. They have truly helped Arthur E. Johnson Boys and Girls Club become a magical place," said Lauren Kamm, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver. "For over 25 years, these organizations have invested in kids with volunteerism, financial support, and renovations to this beautiful club."

Kroenke Sports Charities renovated the STEM Lab the last time it was there during the NBA Finals. Before that, KSC helped renovate the Teen Lounge and the Education Center at the Club, located at Cheltenham Elementary School in the West Colfax area.

The outdoor court and accompanying Nuggets equipment donations were made possible by Denver's deep playoff run. Funding came from the team's activations, including Arena Watch Party ticket sales and Nuggets Rally Towel sales. Altitude TV's Vic Lombardi, who emceed the event, revealed that on November 6, KSC will award $680,000 to 47 nonprofit organizations in the metro Denver area.

"Why 47?" Lombardi asked. "Because it represents 47 years of Denver Nuggets basketball."

Lombardi wasn't the only Altitude talent in attendance on Friday. Altitude TV's Chris Marlowe, Katy Winge, and Bill Hanzlik were all there, as well as Nuggets PA Announcer, Kyle Speller. Nuggets SuperMascot, Rocky, made an appearance, which drew excited cheers from the crowd of children. Nuggets Dancers and the Hype Squad were also there for the court's big debut.

Together, the group of Nuggets-affiliated talent helped demonstrate the full use of the multi-sport outdoor court: Basketball, of course, along with street hockey, volleyball, tennis, badminton, and pickle ball.

"This new court is going to provide you guys a lot of games, laughter, and healthy competition, and maybe even some of you are going to grow up to be future Denver Nuggets out there," said Kamm.

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Nuggets unveil brand new outdoor Sport Court at Arthur E. Johnson Boys and Girls Club

Ron Gutterman

To commemorate the 75th season in NBA history, the league partnered with its 30 teams for the Legacy Project. As part of this project, the Denver Nuggets helped to renovate the Arthur E. Johnson Boys and Girls Club, located next to Cheltenham Elementary School in Denver.

The NBA donated $25,000 to each of the 30 NBA teams with the express purposes of renovating a local Live, Learn, and Play Center.

"To celebrate the NBA’s 75th&nbsp;season, NBA Cares will continue its mission to use the power of basketball to create a lasting positive impact in communities globally," the NBA stated. "Working alongside each of its teams, the NBA will refurbish and unveil a newly renovated Live, Learn, and Play Center in each local market."

Kroenke Sports Charities matched the $25,000 donation from the NBA, teaming up with Creative Director Kelley Kocher, Morrison Construction, and Direct Edge graphics to completely re-do the Boys and Girls Club's Teen Lounge and Learning Center.

Among the renovations included a brand new 72-inch TV, a PlayStation 5, and all new furniture, as well as computers and printers to go along with Nuggets graphics on the wall. The new graphics on the walls of the Learning Center and Team Lounge match that of the Nuggets weight room.

Johnson Boys and Girls Club Director Steve Kinney praised the Nuggets, NBA, and Kroenke Sports Charities during the live event. “Thank you for all the work you put into the project here at Johnson, we really appreciate it," Kinney said.&nbsp;"It was great working with all of you,&nbsp; I am very grateful for what all of you did for the Johnson Club and the youth that attend.”

Kroenke Sports and Entertainment Vice President of Community Relations Deb Dowling said of the event, “Celebrating the NBA's 75th&nbsp;Anniversary with our Nuggets Legacy Project at Johnson Boys and Girls Club is a wonderful way to commemorate the League’s commitment to community through NBA Cares.&nbsp; Hundreds of Boys and Girls Club members will enjoy the enhanced Learning Center and Teen Lounge for many years to come.&nbsp; It is our privilege to be a small part of their lives.”&nbsp;

Altitude Sports personality Vic Lombardi served as emcee for the event, while Nuggets mascot Rocky and the Nuggets Dancers were in attendance alongside Kroenke Sports and Entertainment CMO Declan Bolger. Among the Boys and Girls Club representatives in attendance were CEO Erin Porteus and member Raylynn.

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Nuggets Unveil Boys And Girls Club Renovations As Part Of NBA Legacy Project

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