Rec. Center committee chairman pleased with progress

SUPER SUPPORTERS: Doug Jeffrey (left), chairman of the Rec. Center committee, is joined by former PC and Boston Celtics star Kevin Stacom and Johnston resident Tom Lopardo, chairman of the zoning board at Saturday’s official grand opening-dedication ceremony.

Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine

PERMANENT PLAQUE: This is the plaque that’s affixed to the wall inside the new Johnston Indoor Recreation Center that lists the committee names of people who helped make the building a reality.

Johnston Sun Rise · Thursday, May 11, 2017 4:55 pm

By Pete Fontaine

His name is featured on the beautiful bronze plaque affixed to the main entrance wall inside the sparkling new Johnston Indoor Recreation Center at 1741 Atwood Ave.

His name also appears at the top of the committee list and is followed by the word chairman.

However, Doug Jeffrey, the long-serving Chief of Staff for Mayor Joseph Polisena, spent much of his time prior to Saturday’s official grand opening of the $3.5 million multi-use complex serving as a public relations dynamo while greeting people from all over Rhode Island.

At one point, Jeffrey stood alongside former Providence College and Boston Celtics basketball great – his friend Kevin Stacom – shaking hands with many people who were seemingly stunned and surprised with the brilliance of the inside of the fantastic 26,000-square-foot facility.

Through it all, Jeffrey refused to take credit for a facility he said “will only enhance the reputation of our town that’s known for its great athletic tradition.”

More impressively, perhaps, Jeffrey said, “We had a great [building] committee. We obviously had a great commitment from Mayor [Joseph] Polisena and a lot of help from other people, as well.”

Jeffrey then talked about Ben Nascenzi, the town’s building inspector; Arnie Vecchione, the DPW director and many he called “a tile craftsman extraordinaire.” He also praised the contributions and input of Dan Mazzulla, the town’s Parks and Recreation Director.

“Everyone on this [building] committee really took ownership of the project,” Jeffrey said. “It’s a big source of pride for all of us. It’s a committee to the future, a benefit for generations to come. Johnston has always been town with great athletic tradition – this [building] will only enhance it.”

Jeffrey thanked fellow committee members James Baccala, Baccala Concrete of Johnston; Joseph Acciardo, JHS Head Football Coach; Joseph Rotella, Johnston School Committee; and Michael Sabitoni, RI Builders & Trades Laborers Local 271.

Likewise, the committee also included Dan Mazzulla, Johnston Parks & Recreation Director; former Town Council President Robert V. Russo, Town Clerk Vincent Baccari; then Town Councilwoman Stephanie Manzi, Dennis DiPrete of DiPrete Engineering, Councilman Robert J. Civetti.