The funds will be used toward building an outdoor ball hockey facility and multipurpose area outside the Scanlon Recreation Center and Ice Rink at 1099 E Venango St. in Philadelphia. Located in Kensington, the Scanlon facility is a hub for Snider Hockey's programs, serving students from surrounding city neighborhoods.
Back in 2011, the Scanlon Rink was transformed from a seasonal venue to a year-round facility. Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation partnered with the State of Pennsylvania and City of Philadelphia to completely renovate and enclose the rink. The Scanlon Recreation Center hosts the Snider Hockey After-School Excellence Program from September to June and also hosts Snider Hockey summer camps during select weeks in July and August.
The capital project to build the outdoor ball hockey court and multipurpose area onto the existing facilities is part of the partnership between Snider Hockey, the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Commission, the office of Councilwoman Maria Quiñones Sánchez, the Philadelphia Flyers and Flyers Charities.
"This project is aimed at deepening our collective commitment to the children, youth, and families in this community," said Scott Tharp, President, Snider Hockey.
"By partnering with the Flyers, Philadelphia Parks & Rec, and the office of Councilwoman Sánchez, we're expanding the year-round structured recreational, academic, and life-enrichment services that Snider Hockey provides on a daily basis during the out-of-school-time hours when kids are most vulnerable to undesirable influences. But, more importantly, we're able to put more smiles on more faces while helping to create equitable opportunities for our youth to chase and achieve their dreams. By working together, we can truly make a world of difference in the City of Philadelphia."
Snider Hockey's primary mission is to support the academic and personal growth of students in the Philadelphia community. Participation in ice hockey is supplemented by scholastic support, community involvement and the availability of life-shaping opportunities.
Simultaneously, the ongoing Flyers Charities work in conjunction with the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation reflects Flyers Charities' own mission statement. One of Flyers' Charities core principles is to grow the game in a manner that reflects inclusion and diversity.
"This project is a perfect example of the Flyers' commitment to the city of Philadelphia and our incredible partnership with the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation," said Valerie Camillo, President of Business Operations for the Philadelphia Flyers.
"This is one of the largest individual charitable contributions our organization has ever made, and it's fitting that it's a partnership with Snider Hockey to help ensure families in the Kensington neighborhood are able to enjoy the game of hockey right in their community. The Flyers belong to the entire city of Philadelphia, and this project will send a lasting, clear message that hockey and the Flyers are for everyone."
The $400,000 contribution to the Scanlon Recreation Center and Ice Rink capital improvements project is one facet of a larger set of goals to support the community.
Earlier this week, Snider Hockey conducted a hockey clinic at the Wells Fargo Center. Flyers Alum forward Donald Brashear traveled to Philadelphia to serve as a special guest instructor. Additionally, on Feb. 22, the Flyers announced a first-of-its-kind, multi-year agreement with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) to award college academic scholarships for local, college-bound high school students who are involved with the sport of hockey. The program is called the "Philadelphia Flyers Rising Leaders Scholarship."
