Local Brooklyn School Wins Big With Sprite® Spark Parks Project for Schools Program

BROOKLYN, N.Y., Aug. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Students need safe, youth friendly areas to be physically active, but new playground equipment/athletic fields are not always in the budget. Now, thanks to Sprite, the Boys and Girls High School in Brooklyn has a refurbished tennis court for its students to enjoy.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110824/NY57415 )

Yesterday, New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Coca-Cola Maspeth Distribution Center Manager Andre Boothe, Council Member Albert Vann, Boys and Girls High School Assistant Principal Bridget Carrington, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and USTA Eastern Community Tennis Development Managing Director Linda Mann celebrated the refresh of the refurbished court. This unveiling event was followed by a ceremonial "first swing" on the tennis court.

"We are excited to help create a clean, safe and fun active space for students and Brooklyn residents," said Andre Boothe, Coca-Cola Maspeth Distribution Center Manager. "Coca-Cola is proud to support the Boys and Girls High School in refurbishing the school's tennis court and encouraging students to get active and have fun."

"This generous donation by Sprite will bring tennis back to the community and make it possible for student athletes to once again participate in team sports," said Council Speaker Christine Quinn. "All New Yorkers should have a place to go to exercise, compete, or just have fun in venues that are fully functioning and not falling apart. Today's restoration was made possible through a collaborative effort of community leaders and the New York City Council Public Private Partnership."

Since September 2010, the Boys and Girls High School's tennis court was unusable due to a large sink hole caused by a drainage malfunction. Using the Sprite Spark Parks program donation, the school was able to address this problem and construction began on August 15, 2011. USTA Eastern provided a new net for the refurnished court and additional equipment including tennis racquets, tennis balls and a pop-up tennis net for multi-location usage.

"Boys and Girls High School is extremely grateful for the generosity of Sprite Spark Parks Project for Schools and the City Council in refurbishing this tennis court so that our students have a safe place to exercise and socialize during and after school," said Bernard Gassaway, Principal. "The school and the local community will be able to enjoy this tennis court for many years to come, and I thank everyone involved with this wonderful project."

"This is a significant grant because it adds to the momentum of the renaissance that is occurring here at Boys and Girls High School," said Council Member Albert Vann.

"Coca-Cola has been so much a part of our city for so many years," said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. "It is great to see the public and private sector coming together to enhance the quality of life for all of us.

Working with teens and parents in 2011, the Sprite Spark Parks Project for Schools will put approximately $2 million into building or revamping outdoor spaces in at least 150 American cities.

For more information about this program, please visit www.mycokerewards.com/sprite.

SOURCE Coca-Cola