Restoration Plans to Revitalize Historic St. Cecilia’s Gym

Partnership Between BELFOR, Detroit Pistons and Ceciliaville Reveal Renderings of Renovation for World-Class Sports Facility and Community Center DETROIT —

Today, at a press event held at Detroit’s famed St. Cecilia’s gym (Ceciliaville), a cohort of loyal and influential local community leaders gathered to honor the facility’s past and celebrate plans revealed to revitalize and expand the historic center. The press conference served to kick off a large-scale fundraising effort, with partner organizations in the Ceciliaville revitalization representing the Detroit Pistons and locally- based BELFOR Property Restoration (BELFOR) presenting donations that will jumpstart the first two phases of the three-stage project. Local cultural and religious officials, including Fr. Ted Parker, along with leadership from the Pistons, past and present, and BELFOR spoke during the press conference. They shared stories of the gym’s past, the role it played in countless local families’ lives and acknowledged their excitement for what lies ahead. Speakers also urged community support and called upon supporters in Detroit and beyond to donate to the cause. “We are incredibly grateful for the support,” said Parker. “It’s a sign of the promise and potential for a new era of Ceciliaville. Better than ever before it will be a home for recreation and gathering that will serve our community in many ways that we undoubtedly need.”

Today’s event illustrated the intended impact of the restoration, a project BELFOR is leading due to decades of historic restoration experience. The original floor of the gym, the front (south) façade with its famous rose window and steps leading into the gym will be restored and retained, while everything else on the site will be enhanced. Phase one of the project, now through 2024, is focused on the rehabilitation of the existing building and bringing it up to code for leagues, skills camps and tournaments across multiple activities. Phase two is planned to wrap-up by 2026, and is focused on expanding the gym for more seating and additional programming. In addition to the interior, phase two includes the resurfacing and expansion of the parking lot, creating a plaza and new entrances. Phase three will then concentrate on the renovation of the existing school building.

I’m touched by the outpouring of support we’re seeing from a powerful group of people whose lives have been shaped because of their experience at St. Cecilia’s,” said Sheldon Yellen, CEO of BELFOR Property Restoration. “I cannot wait to see what additional, even more incredible things happen for the community here, and BELFOR is honored to be part of the momentous project.” Joining Yellen in recognizing the prominence and impact of Ceciliaville throughout the past 60 years, the impressive collection of attendees included former NBA players and St. Cecilia alumni Dave Bing, Derrick Coleman, Earl Cureton, Greg Kesler and Grant Long. Dr. Ike McKinnon, Ceciliaville Board Chair, City of Detroit Deputy Mayor Todd Bettison and City Council Member, District 7, Fred Durhal were also on hand.

St. Cecilia’s gym has been a safe, transformative place for recreation and youth development since the late 1960s. Famous for bearing NBA Basketball greats, from Isiah Thomas to Magic Johnson, and many more, Ceciliaville and its future signify a beacon of hope for Detroiters. Fundraising for the project is taking place online at www.ceciliaville.org on the “Give” tab. About Ceciliaville Ceciliaville is a non-denominational charitable organization incorporated in the State of Michigan (501(c)3 with a mission to bring a world-class sports facility and community center to the area around St. Charles Lwanga Parish, formerly St. Cecilia Parish, in Detroit’s Russell Woods/Nardin Park neighborhood. The facility’s athletic programs will be accompanied by mentoring and tutoring services, job training, and financial literacy resources all available in an adjacent community center. For more information, visit: https://www.ceciliaville.org/.

About BELFOR Holdings, Inc. BELFOR Holdings, Inc. is a $2 billion entity that operates a number of companies around the world, many of which complement the core work provided in the restoration industry, including BELFOR Property Restoration , the world’s largest disaster restoration company. For more than 75 years, BELFOR has provided residential, commercial and industrial customers every service needed to help return to normal operations in the aftermath of man-made or natural disasters, including the global COVID-19 pandemic. From water and flood restoration services, fire and smoke recovery, structural damage repair, disinfection services and biohazard cleaning, to the recovery and restoration of equipment and vital documents, BELFOR has a rapid and proven response. BELFOR companies operate in 57 countries with 500+ offices employing over 12,500 full-time experienced restoration specialists who are dedicated to “Restoring More Than Property.” For more information, please visit  www.belfor.com