OGDENSBURG -- The Ogdensburg Boys and Girls Club will soon be getting a new gymnasium.

The new facility will be constructed thanks to a major donation in honor of Ogdensburg attorney Preston Carlisle, by his family.

His son, Rick Carlisle, the NBA Dallas Mavericks’ head coach and Lisbon native, made the announcement at an outdoor ceremony Saturday, Sept. 5.

"The donation to build the Preston C. Carlisle Youth Athletic Center is made on behalf of the Carlisle children -- Rick, Bill and Kari -- their spouses and all 19 grandchildren," said Rick.

"My father devoted his life to fighting for his clients in the legal forum and supporting the hopes and dreams of his children, grandchildren, relatives and friends. The Preston C. Carlisle Youth Athletic Center will be an enduring symbol of his life's work and passion,” he said.

“Preston was a board member of the Ogdensburg Boys and Girls Club in the early 70s and one of the driving forces behind building the present club on Patterson Street in 1975,” said Rick.

Program Director Tom Luckie said, “We are fortunate to have the support of many in the community. My dad would be very happy looking down here today.” Tom’s father, Thomas P. Luckie Sr., was the former director of the Boys and Girls Club, from 1965-2005.

“We really appreciate the gym is going to be named in Preston’s honor,” Tom Luckie said.

“I am flabbergasted. It’s so marvelous. It’s going to be here for a long time,” said Preston, who was surprised by Saturday’s announcement.

"The ceremony to announce this project coincides with my father's 90th birthday on September 6th," said Rick.

"Growing up in the 60s and 70s, my brother Bill and I spent countless hours at both the original Boys Club on State Street, then the one built on Patterson Street,” said Rick.

Rick encouraged others to give back to the community when they can.

“A lot of my dreams started here,” he said.

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The Ogdensburg Boys and Girls Club will be getting a new gymnasium, hopefully to be finished this winter, thanks to a major donation by Lisbon native and NBA head coach of the Dallas Mavericks, Rick Carlisle, and his family. The Preston C. Carlisle Youth Athletic Center will be named in honor of Rick’s father, Ogdensburg attorney Preston Carlisle. The announcement Saturday was made the day before Preston Carlisle’s 90th birthday. NCNow photo