Delaware North on Wednesday helped the Village of Islandia, N.Y., celebrate the start of construction for a new recreational park, a project largely being funded through a $1.5 million donation from the company.
First Responders Recreational Ball Field, named in honor of five local residents and volunteer firefighters who lost their lives on 9/11, will feature a state-of-the-art ball field for youth and community baseball and softball games, as well as a concession stand, playground and perimeter walking/running path with 10 different exercise stations. The park will open this fall, with the ball field opening in spring 2018.
The company’s contribution was part of an agreement with the village that is also allowing a reduction in property taxes. Delaware North last year purchased a hotel in Islandia and then spent eight months developing a gaming venue within it, with the venue now known as Jake’s 58 Hotel & Casino. The last phase of the gaming portion opened in May.
Other businesses also contributed to the project.
“We thank Delaware North, Bolla Market and Breslin Realty for their financial assistance on making this neighborhood baseball field become a reality,” Village of Islandia Mayor Allan M. Dorman said. “The park promises to be a place where members of our community will come together to spend time with their children and enjoy the outdoors. It has the potential to become the focal point of our community.”
Brian Hansberry, president of Delaware North’s gaming business, spoke at the ceremonial groundbreaking before joining the mayor and others in manning a shovel.
“Delaware North always establishes strong, cooperative relationships with the communities where we operate, so on behalf of the Jacobs family, Delaware North and Jake’s 58, we are proud to have done just that here in Islandia and appreciate the village’s support,” Hansberry said.
Hansberry was joined at the ceremony by Jake’s 58 General Manager Chuck Kilroy and
members of Kilroy’s executive team at the venue.
PHOTO CAPTION: Brian Hansberry (second from left with shovel), president of Delaware North’s gaming business, joins Village of Islandia Mayor Allan M. Dorman (third from left), other local elected officials, other project supporters and first responders at a ceremonial groundbreaking for the First
Responders Recreational Ball Field project.