Basketball courts see new life with W&M, city funds

Real Estate Weekly, Sept 5, 2001

Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy and other city officials attended a dedication ceremony on Aug. 7 marking the official reopening of the basketball courts at the Lathon Wider Community Center, which were recently refurbished with donations from Stamford's Neighborhood Beautification Grant program and W& M Properties.

Mayor Malloy hailed the reopening of the courts as a great example of how the city and local corporations can collaborate to benefit the community. Also on hand was Sandy Goldstein, executive director of the Stamford Downtown Special Services District, which administers the Neighborhood Beautification Grant program initiated by the mayor.

"This program has done a lot to enhance the entire environment of Stamford," said Goldstein. "Mayor Malloy is to be complimented for recognizing the importance of a beautiful and people-friendly environment."

W &M Properties was represented by Jeffrey H. Newman, executive vice president of the firm.

"We are delighted to have played a role in returning these courts to the Lathon Wider kids," Newman said. "W&M has an association with the Community Center, which is near our Metro Center flagship property. For the past several years, we have organized the planting of a flowering garden at Lathon Wider. We're committed to being good neighbors."

Michael Page, director of education and youth programs for CTE, which is housed at the Community Center, welcomed the participants.

"We're very grateful to the mayor and the city of Stamford and to W &M Properties for making possible the resurrection of this valued sports facility," he said. "Because they were in such a dilapidated condition, the courts have not been in use for several years. Now we're able once again to make available basketball instruction and competitive play to the children who participate in our programs."