[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000We1JeJar11s” g_name=”20160329-Read-to-the-Final-Four-Codwell-at-Morefield” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is committed to making a lasting impact on each Final-Four city, and in Houston, that meant working with Lowe’s to complete a total renovation of the Morefield Boys & Girls Club on Selinsky Road near Codwell Elementary School. Thanks to NCAA Legacy Restorations presented by Lowe’s, Morefield was refurbished with a new basketball court, library, state-of-the-art computer lab, and garden.
A group of Codwell third-graders participated in a press conference held there on March 29 to unveil the extreme makeover, and the first thing they did when they got to the facility was head to the new library and pick out a book to read. They also had a chance to play basketball on the new court, visit the computer lab, and explore the garden.
After the press conference, the students did a few interviews, including one with Good Morning America. When a reporter asked what it looked like before, third-grader DeShawn F. pointed to a spot on the wall and said, “There used to be a hole there, and it’s not there anymore.”
Special guests included U.S. Rep. Al Green; Houston City Council Member Dwight Boykins and his Chief of Staff Jessica Kemp; Kevin R. Hattery, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Houston president and CEO; NCAA Associate Director of Community Programs Victor Hill; Division I Men’s Basketball Committee Chair Joe Castiglione; and David Guajardo, Lowe’s project manager.
Many of the Lowe’s volunteers who worked on the club were present as well. They had painted and weatherproofed the interior and exterior of the building and updated the restrooms, lighting, and ceiling tiles. They helped install a new water fountain, hot-water heater, refrigerator, washer, and dryer. The potholes in the parking lot were filled, and the exterior was landscaped and redesigned.
“It was such a great opportunity for these students to be part of the celebration of the new club,” and Codwell Magnet Coordinator Aiesha Odutayo, who accompanied the students. “It will open to the rest of our kids on Monday. We have an after-school bus that brings them here every day.”