Chicopee Boys and Girls Club breaks ground on new pavilion

Oct. 12, 2021 | Matt Conway
mconway@thereminder.com

(From left to right) The pavilion’s contractors, state Sen. Adam Gomez, Boys and Girls Club Executive Director Jason Reed, Mayor John Vieau, Rep. Richard Neal, state Sen. Eric Lesser, and state Rep. Jacob Oliveira break ground on the project.
Reminder Publishing photo by Matt Conway

CHICOPEE – A new, 1,800 square foot pavilion broke ground at the Chicopee Boys and Girls Club on Oct. 4. Rep. Richard Neal, state Sen. Eric Lesser, state Sen. Adam Gomez, state Rep. Jacob Oliveira and Chicopee Mayor John Vieau spoke on the significance of the pavilion, which was funded from a $250,000 grant through the Community Development Block Grant funding.

Neal explained how grant funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) act made the project a reality, describing the measure as a “recovery process” that worked to aid development during the pandemic. Vieau spoke about the significance of the pavilion project, reflecting on his experiences growing up with the Boys and Girls Club while reinforcing the impact the upgrades will have on Chicopee’s youth.

Along with the pavilion’s construction, the grant is also going toward efficiency and safety upgrades, including LED lighting and the paving of sidewalk to make the park accessible according to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Lesser and Gomez shared their belief in the developing project, with both stating that the project will help thousands of kids across the city. The project is expected to be completed by spring 2022.

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