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Sugar House Journal

Utah Jazz Sugar House court gets an update

Oct 05, 2017 17h22 ● By Jana Klopsch

A ribbon cutting was part of the ceremony. (Lucky Mather/City Journals)

On a Friday afternoon Sept. 15, with remnants of the morning rain still visible, Utah Jazz representatives, along with the Salt Lake City Stars, The Boys & Girls Club, the Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation department, as well as a local Subway owner gathered to rededicate the basketball court in Sugar House Park.

The basketball court—originally donated in 2001 by LHM Charities—was the first court that the Utah Jazz donated to a community.  Since then, the state has been peppered with public basketball courts bearing the team moniker. These spaces provide locals a place to gather and play basketball. 

The Sugar House court was refurbished with new basketball standards, which are adorned with custom glass backboards.  The logo at half court, which when first dedicated donned the 90’s mountain logo, has been updated with the current Jazz logo, and the lines have been repainted.

Steve Brown, who represented the Utah Jazz and Jazz Broadcasting, and who acted as the master of ceremonies stated:

“Obviously, we want to thank the Utah Jazz for the contributions, as an organization we believe that it’s extremely important to give back to our community, and this is one way we can get direct hands-on with the kids. And we believe, obviously, that kids are the future... and this gives them a place to enjoy recreation, to have a safe place to be, and to come out and stay physically fit….”

After Brown finished, he introduced Ted Roberts as the next speaker. Roberts is the vice president of corporate partnerships.  Upon reaching the podium, the Jazz Bear gave him a toupee made of silly string. 

“Community is at the core of what we do,” said Roberts, “and this is just another example of what we’re trying to do as a partnership with the community…to be here at our original court, and to come back, and to refurbish it, update it a little bit, is really wonderful….”

Brown then introduced Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams.

“Salt Lake County has been working with the Utah Jazz and we’re so grateful for their partnership, we’re doing basketball courts like this all around the county.  We want more courts, so more kids can get out and play basketball, get outside, and be active,” said McAdams.  “I just want to say thank you to the Utah Jazz, Salt Lake County is so grateful for what they do, and LHM Charities for what they do to help provide kids, and even grown-ups, in our community, places to get outside, to have fun, exercise, enjoy the outdoors, and practice their basketball.” 

Mascots from Subway, the Salt Lake City Stars, and the Jazz were in attendance, as well as some Jazz Dancers.  The Jazz Bear entered in typical fashion with exploding confetti and silly string, and, as always, was a huge hit with the kids.  

A dedicatory ribbon, held by the Jazz Dancers, was cut, and then the children from the local Boys & Girls Club were invited to have a free Subway sandwich, after which they did what they loved—play basketball on the refurbished court.

The basketball court is located in Sugar House Park between the Hidden Grove and Sugar Beet Pavilions.  The court is open to the public and can be reserved by visiting www.sugarhousepark.org