New Britain herald., 1925-02-11
BASKETBALL COURT 
 MADE FOR PLAYERS "Y" Group Members Pleasantly
 Surprised When Shown Hall CONTEST HERE FRIDAY

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 Enters New Britain Hospital Thaw Filling Ccllars-Plainyille
 Briefs.
 The members Of the Plainyille group of the Hartford County Y. M. c. A. received d pleasant surprise last evening when, after being called together at a special meeting. they were conducted by w. A. Bailey to a section of the Cahill property in the rear of the Recreation bowling al- leye and presented with basketball court fitted out with baskets and a playing space. The group members gave chorus of joyful yells when the lights were turned on and they saw the interior of the place.
 The surprise was prepared by Mir. Bailey, who has been the coach of the basketball squad and Is the re- suit of untiring efforts on his part 10 further the interests of the group which is in his charge. The building is the new section which was built onto the old Carter foundry. The property was later bought by the Cahil Co. of Meriden and Is now the property of r. l.. Benzon, through ] whose kindness the hall has been made possible. Mir. Benzon offered the use of the building to the group without rental and the board of di- rectors, headed by Chairman S. S. Gwillim, donated sufficient money to outfit the interior to make it suitable | for basketball.
 Work on the place was started last Thursday by Mir. Bailey and seY- eral assistants. The interior was cleaned out and the floor was meas ured and chalked off with the cen. ter rings and foul shooting lines and territory. Board backs were placed at the regulation heights and basket were suspended from them at either end of the hall and outside lines | WtI5 uid " II d lS" lttb II OIl lHN walls around the playing surface,
 Then came the task of making the interior safe for the players. The Piainville Lumber x Coal Co. donat ed lumber sufficient to make a shoathing about eight feet high tc protect arms and legs from hitting against the bare studding about thu building, and MT. Bailey hired car penters to fit the boards together.
 The cost of the work was born by the members of the board of ali rectors and although there is a grea deal more to be done, the place suitable for its purposes for the pres ent. The lighting system was gon over and was rearranged SO tha plenty of light floods the floor. Tw, braces which crossed under the cell ing from side to side were removed leaving one in the center. This late may be arranged differently if it in terferes with the games.
 The interior of the building is 4 feet long and 30 feet wide. Thi crowds the court and leaves littl space for spectators, but on tn whole makes neat place for prac tice and home games.
 The members of the group wcr warned to congregate in the build ing used by MT. Bailey for undertak ing parlors at 6:45 o'clock last night Only two of the members shared th secret. MT. Bailey appeared on tn scene and asked if the players hal their uniforms. They had, so he or dered them to follow him. They pro cccded from Broad street dow Whiting and turned in the drive way leading to the building. All il darkness, they were told to file int the hall and when all were inside the lights were switched on reveal ing the interior. For a minute or s' the surprise was so great that non was able 10 speak and then with ; whoop and capers the boys piled al over the floor, Two baSketballs wcr produced and the members of tn team hastened into their suits fo practice.
 The team which has won the frs round in the Y. NJ. C. A. Farming ton Valley league. will meet Collins vile in that town Friday night anc will play the first home game against Simsbury on the home fool Saturday night
 Up to the present time, the mem bers of the group have been prac' tiCing in Bristol or anywhere elst they could find suitable hall ant they have been digging into thetl own pockets for expenses. The ac quisition of a home floor devoid O all expenses excepting the cost O lighting the structure will, it k thought, eliminate all cost to tho boys themselves as the small admis sion which will be charged wil cover the costs of conducting th' present hall. The finishing of the interior will be postponed. until tho .T ba ga l