Elmont Online

Alfano Delivers Grant Funding for Concession Stand andWellness Center Gym Projects at Elmont Memorial High School

Assemblyman Tom Alfano announced today that he was able to secure$90,000 in grant funding for Elmont Memorial High School to build a new outdoor concession stand with announcer’s booth and new training equipment for the Elmont Memorial Weight Room. The grant funding comes on the heels of a new weight room Alfano secured for Sewanhaka High School that is now fully operational.  The grants were secured by Assemblyman Alfano through the State budget process and are part of his education investment initiatives in the 21st Assembly district.

“These new additions to our high schools will enhance the High Schoolexperience for our young people and build upon other projects I wasable to secure for our students,” said Assemblyman Tom Alfano adding,“the new weight room at Sewanhaka High School is sensational and hasbeen receiving rave reviews from student athletes.  The projects atElmont Memorial High School were sorely needed and I am very pleasedto have teamed up with parents, Principal John Capozzi and the ElmontMemorial High School community.”  Previous Alfano initiatives were thenew musical instruments for Sewanhaka High School, mural restoration,new smartboards for Elmont Memorial High School, Petrocelli Gardens,Mentors and Leaders Program, new indoor gym soundsystem andinvestments in the Elmont Memorial Science Research Project.

The concession stand will also house an announcer’s booth for gamesalong with a new state of the art soundsystem. The soundsystem is thesecond audio system Alfano secured for Elmont Memorial High School asthe first was secured for the High School gymnasium for the indoorsports programs ranging from the basketball to the volleyball teams.

The plans for the concession stand have been met with greatanticipation. “The grant will not only be used to build the concessionstand, but it will also be used to purchase a refrigerator, stoveequipment, food prep areas and other ancillary household supplies. Theconcession stand will be used to house the outdoor kitchen that willallow our community, parents, and student groups to offer hot food andprovide refreshments during our athletic and recreational events.  Theproceeds from the sales will be used to support the athletic andacademic programs at Elmont Memorial High School,” said ElmontMemorial Principal John Capozzi adding, “I want to thank Tom Alfanofor always being there for Elmont Memorial High School.”

The concession stand will be located between the track and baseball fields on the Dutch Broadway side of the Elmont Memorial school grounds.  “This was the perfect spot for the stand and it’s strategically located so that it is accessible for everyone and is right near all the action. The plans are drawn up, and work is going to start very soon,” said Assemblyman Alfano adding, “this project is a positive community investment.”

The second project at Elmont Memorial is the refurbishment of the weight room. The grant funding Assemblyman Alfano secured will allow the school to purchase new free weights, Cybex machines, Bo-flex machines, cardiovascular equipment and assorted weight lifting equipment. “This is very exciting for our students as well,” said Capozzi noting, “we’ve wanted to renovate the weight room for quite some time for our student athletes.  Now that dream is a reality,” said Capozzi.

The weight room refurbishment is part of a new wellness initiative that Elmont Memorial High School has embarked upon over the last few years.  Part of the initiative entails the “Walk for Wellness,” raising awareness of healthy choices in eating and lifestyle as well as getting proper exercise and combating diabetes as well as childhood and young adult obesity issues.

“The new concession stand at Elmont Memorial High School has been a long time coming,” said Assemblyman Alfano noting, “this addition gives more community pride to our young people at Elmont Memorial. The weight room upgrade is also very exciting for the students. Over the past couple of years, players from the football and lacrosse programs visited with me and discussed the need at the school. I’m glad I was able to help them out. They can’t wait for the stuff to come and they’ve challenged me to come down and use the equipment with them. I told them I’d leave the lifting to them- they’re the professionals.”

Stevens Cadet, a receiver for the Elmont Memorial Spartan Football team said, “before our season we would hit the weight room and work out in preparation for our practices. The new equipment will allow all of our teams to step up their game."  Cesar Martinez, one of Elmont’s safety's said, “the concession stand is something Elmont Memorial has needed for a long time. Things like this give our school more identity and school spirit." Terrance Latouche added, "the new weight room is going to be a great addition to our school and will help all of our student athletes for many years to come."  Dominique WIlliams, a Senior on Elmont Memorial Basketball team, said Tom Alfano is always there for Elmont Memorial and the new concession stand and weight room is something everybody is real excited about. Elmont Memorial is a great school and these two projects are just going to make it better."

The announcer’s booth and concession stand will be utilized by the entire High School student body. However, events associated with the Lacrosse, Football, Soccer and Track and Field competitions are anxiously awaiting its construction to be utilized in their respective seasons. Construction of the shed will commence in the next couple months.

Elmont Memorial High School PTSA President Yvette March said, “on behalf of the Elmont Memorial High School PTSA, we would like to convey our gratitude to Assemblyman Alfano for the funding to build the concession stand and weight room for the Elmont Memorial community.”

Sewanhaka High School Trustee Michael Jaime added, "The Sewanhaka Central High School district continues to appreciate Tom Alfano's generosity. His actions are a true testament that he cares about our students. His grants in the areas of the sciences, technology, and athletics will help generations of students. Tom is a true statesmen."

Senator Dean Skelos added, “Tom Alfano always tells me that great things are happening at Elmont Memorial High School. He’s right. I’m really pleased that these projects are coming to the school and that everyone will benefit from them.”

Sandra Smith, Chair of the Elmont Coalition for Sustainable Development said, “investments like this in our community improve quality of life for our young people in Elmont. The weight room is already creating a real buzz at Elmont Memorial High School.  The new concession stand is a great addition for all outdoor activities. I can’t wait to get a hot dog or hamburger there during the Elmont games!  Again, Tom is right there for Elmont when we need him.”

County Legislator John Ciotti noted, “when you think about all the great things happening in Elmont, you can’t help but be excited. The new streetscaping on Dutch Broadway I was able to help secure is a great improvement. Now, with the weight room and concession stand projects at Elmont Memorial being funded by Tom Alfano, we’re really making great strides.”

Councilman Ed Ambrosino concluded noting, “I want to thank Assemblyman Alfano for his work in securing this funding. We can burn off the calories from the concession stand in the weight room. Go Spartans!"

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