OGDENSBURG – The Preston C. Carlisle Youth Athletic Center at the Ogdensburg Boys and Girls Club could be ready for use in a few weeks.

A ceremony was held last week at the new facility in anticipation of its opening.

The new addition, when completed, will include six baskets, bleachers and air conditioning and will serve youth from Ogdensburg and the surrounding communities for years to come.

The Carlisle Family made a very generous gift for the facility in honor of Mr. Carlisle who has been a long-time supporter of the club and many other deserving causes, former board member and a long-time North Country resident.

“We are so thankful for the Carlisle Family and their generosity to us as well as the many alumni, supporters and friends who contributed for this beautiful facility. We are also fortunate for the support and direction from our Board of Directors and our dedicated staff as we worked through this project. Our club attendance has never been better and the Carlisle Facility will allow us to serve more youth, more often and make a positive impact on their lives, “stated Thomas Luckie, Ogdensburg Boys and Girls Club Executive Director.

Current Indiana Pacers Head Coach Rick Carlisle spoke on behalf of the family and stressed the importance of having places like Boys and Girls Clubs where kids can go with people who care about them, inspire them and help give them confidence and the tools needed to help reach their dreams. He also credited many in attendance for their belief and support for him growing up.

Preston thanked the community for the turnout and support, people he hadn’t seen in many years and hoped the youth who utilize the facility will be pleased with how it turned out.

Other speakers included long-time Ogdensburg Free Academy boys varsity basketball coach Bill Merna and Hal Cohen, a stellar basketball player for Canton Central School in the mid 1970s who played collegiately at Syracuse University.

Besides the Carlisle Family support, many individuals and businesses donated so the project could become a reality.

Mr. Luckie thanked the many donors for the project with special recognition given to the St. Lawrence Federal Credit Union, the late Donald McCabe, the Mark Cuban Foundation, the Northern New York Community Foundation, Gus Murray, Stewart’s Shops and the Dake Foundation, Bill and Lisa Powers, NBT Bank, NYSCOPBA, Steve and Monica LaRose, the Family of Paul and Donna Manke, the Hannan Family for the donation of the bleachers in honor of Tom and Kay Hannan and the Wright Family for the donation of the scoreboard.

The Carlisle Youth Center announcement took place in September 2020 and construction began June 2021.