Day: July 19, 2019

WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. — Gov. Ned Lamont, state leaders, Connecticut Airport Authority officials, and project stakeholders held a ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony at the construction site of Bradley International Airport’s new Ground Transportation Center on July 18.

“Undoubtedly, Bradley International Airport is rapidly rising in popularity and ridership, with more airlines and routes being added regularly,” Lamont said. “More and more people throughout New England are recognizing the multiple benefits this airport provides — a convenient, centralized location and growing amenities that make travel easier. In fact, Condé Nast Traveler, one of the world’s leading travel magazines, ranks Bradley as the third-best airport in the country. Now with this addition of this Ground Transportation Center, travel will become even more convenient. Improving Connecticut’s transportation system is key to improving business development and growing jobs in nearly every sector of our economy. I am determined to utilize our state’s largest airport as an economic driver.”

The new facility, spanning 1.4 million square feet across 13.4 acres, will be located west of the existing short-term and long-term parking garage, with a direct connection to Terminal A. Its major features will include convenient rental-car services across from Terminal A, additional public parking, and improved access to public transportation, including a dedicated area that will be used to receive high-frequency buses connecting the airport to the CTrail line, as well as regional bus services.

The construction phase will be completed over the next three years and will cost approximately $210 million, which is being entirely financed by customer facility-charge revenues. 

In anticipation of the construction of the new Ground Transportation Center, several enabling projects were initiated in 2018 to prepare the site for construction. These projects focused on the realignment of roadways and the addition of a new intersection. Additional enabling projects will commence in the late summer and will be publicized in the coming weeks.

SPRINGFIELD — The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced a new multi-year partnership with Tickets For Less as a secondary-market ticket provider for a number of Basketball Hall of Fame collegiate events. The partnership was facilitated by Learfield IMG College, the Basketball Hall of Fame’s sports-marketing partner for its collegiate event series. 

“Each year, we aim to enhance our portfolio of events by creating outstanding experiences for players and fans of the game we celebrate. We appreciate the support of Tickets for Less and the services they can provide to our event-goers,” said John Doleva, president and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “With showcases from coast to coast this fall and winter, we hope basketball enthusiasts will join us for some first-rate events.”

As a nonprofit institution committed to promoting and celebrating the game of basketball at all levels, the Basketball Hall of Fame has continued to elevate its roster of events over the past decade. As an official sponsor, Tickets for Less will offer a secondary ticket marketplace for Hall of Fame collegiate events, allowing fans secure, fast, and convenient options to purchase tickets.

Events offered by Tickets for Less in 2019 include the Basketball Hall of Fame Classic at Staples Center in Los Angeles, the Tip-Off Tournament and Women’s Showcase at Mohegan Sun Arena, the Jerry Colangelo Classic in Phoenix, and three inaugural events: the James Naismith Classic in Toronto, the Al Attles Classic at the new Chase Center in San Francisco, and the Basketball Hall of Fame Invitational at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

For a full schedule of events and matchups, visit www.hoophall.com/events.

SOUTH HADLEY — When hard times fall on a local family, caring people in the community want to help. No Roof Left Behind is a nationwide program that gives good neighbors a chance to nominate a deserving homeowner to receive a free new roof. It also provides a local contractor the framework to provide a new roof at no cost.

Adam Quenneville Roofing & Siding Inc. has participated in the No Roof Left Behind program since 2014, and will do so again this year. Online nominations will be accepted from local people who know someone in dire need of a new roof in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin Counties from Aug. 2 through Aug. 23, and then the public will vote online for the 2019 winner.

“I know there are folks right here in our community who could use a little help,” Quenneville said. “That’s why we participate in the No Roof Left Behind program every year. It gives us a chance to give back to the community, and to make life a little bit better for a local family in need of a new roof. We hope to receive many nominations in 2019.”

To submit a nomination, visit noroofleftbehind.com. Each participant must upload a photo and brief story about someone who needs a new roof. Volunteers will review the nominees and select four finalists. From Aug. 26 through Sept. 13, the public will vote for the winner online. Finalists will be revealed, and the public will vote online for the 2019 winner, who will be revealed on Oct. 11.

SPRINGFIELD — The Rotary Club of Springfield elected its new president, Robert (Bert) Carter, president and CEO at Willie Ross School for the Deaf, as well as its board of directors for the 2019-20 Rotary year at its June 28 meeting. 

“I look forward to building on the success of this past year and steering the club to continue exemplary service to the Greater Springfield community,” Carter said. “We have a dedicated board of directors, and we’re all looking forward to a productive year together. This past June, the Springfield Club was able to give away $10,000 in grants to local area nonprofits, and I’m looking forward to increasing that amount for next year. The Springfield Rotary Club has a long legacy, and I am excited to be a part of it.”

Carter is an 11-year veteran of Rotary. Before coming to Springfield, he served in the Brattleboro, Vt. club for five years, where he was foundation chair. Since joining the Springfield club, he has served as seargent at arms, director, secretary, second vice president, and first vice president before assuming the post of president. 

Carter is a 38-year veteran in the field of deaf education and school administration. Prior to his tenure at Willie Ross School for the Deaf, he was the president of the Vermont Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, which included the Austine School for the Deaf as well as statewide education and social-service programs. Carter also directed statewide deaf services for FSW Inc., a private, nonprofit agency in Bridgeport, Conn. In that position, he created and directed a 24/365 sign-language interpreter service serving all 31 acute-care hospitals in Connecticut.

An educator, mental-health practitioner, and nationally certified American Sign Language interpreter, Carter holds a master’s degree in deafness rehabilitation from New York University, a master’s degree in expressive therapies from Lesley University, and a bachelor’s degree in art education from Miami University.