Newtown Community Center Director Matt Ariniello and invited guests gathered on May 7 to celebrate the groundbreaking of new outdoor basketball courts at the Fairfield Hills campus, marking another milestone in Newtown’s ongoing investment in recreation and community programming.

The new fenced-in asphalt courts will be constructed adjacent to the existing playground on the east lawn of the community center and are expected to be completed within six to eight weeks, with a projected opening in mid-June.

Funded entirely through a generous donation by Lindell Hertberg, the project will provide expanded recreational opportunities for local families, Community Center childcare programs, and visitors to Fairfield Hills. The courts will primarily support Newtown Community Center childcare and youth programming while also remaining available for public use during off-hours.

Ariniello said the project “represents another exciting step forward for Fairfield Hills as a destination for recreation, wellness, and community connection.

“We are grateful for the generosity of Mr Hertberg that made this possible and look forward to welcoming community members to the new courts this summer,” he added. “We are so grateful for Mr Hertberg and his ongoing commitment to the Newtown community.”

Plans for the courts were approved earlier this year by both the Planning and Zoning Commission and Fairfield Hills Authority. The donation was also approved by the Community Center Commission, Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance, and Legislative Council.

The project includes two benches inside the court area. The courts will operate during daylight hours, closing at dusk. No additional lighting or parking expansions are planned, as parking improvements completed last year adequately support the site.

The basketball courts join a growing list of amenities at Fairfield Hills, including walking trails, the playscape, community gathering spaces, the Community Center, and the recently approved splash pad project funded by the State of Connecticut and the Community Center Special Revenue Fund.