Boys and Girls Club get renovations as part of NBA Cares Finals Legacy Projects
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Members of the Oklahoma City Thunder stepped away from the basketball court on Friday to make this day extra special for several metro kids.
They helped unveil something pretty special at the Boys and Girls Club of Oklahoma County.
The NBA, in partnership with Emirates, the OKC Thunder, and the City of Oklahoma City, made upgrades and renovations to the club.
"If we're going to succeed, we can build a bricks and mortar through Maps 4 where we are building from our listeners," OKC Mayor David Holt said. "We need partners to keep these facilities up and partners to support the programming."
Those partners came together Friday to unveil refurbished spaces at the Boys and Girls Club of Oklahoma County.
They transformed an existing classroom into the "Wonder Room," bringing in new technology, a STEM zone, a reading nook, and so much more.
"In front of young kids to see the smiles on their faces, it is a life-changing experience," said Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner. "It's a lifelong memory and things that people really motivated and remember to come back and take advantage of this facility, not just the basketball, but the computer center, the notebooks, iPads, and just the community that comes with being in a center like this."
"It's just the ability to connect, to develop friendships outside of school, and also to have a place to come and enjoy," said Matthew Jones, Emirates VP of U.S. Operations.
Silver adds that something special is brewing in Oklahoma.
"Clay Bennett, his organization has created a really special connection here, and maybe in part because it's a newer franchise in the NBA, but actually everywhere I go in this community, I see the Thunder logo, I see the Thunder colors," Silver said. "Of course, they've had great success on the floor as well. So, it's a unique feeling when I'm here in Oklahoma City."
Mayor Holt says this is just the start of something great.
"We made a commitment a couple of years ago that we'll have this team for another generation, and there will be more days like this in our future," said Holt.
The NBA Foundation will also contribute a generous grant to the Boys & Girls Club of Oklahoma County in support of the NBA Cares Finals Legacy Projects.