The Hamilton Police Athletic League held a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony on May 22 for its new home, the Dwier Center.
Among those in attendance were Hamilton Township Police Division Chief Ken DeBoskey, Hamilton Mayor Jeff Martin and Council President Anthony Carabelli, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo Onofri, County Executive Dan Benson and representatives from Rep. Andy Kim’s office and Assemblywoman Tennille McCoy’s office.
The new Center, located at 392 Church Street in the Groveville section of Hamilton, will house the organization’s various programs as well as give the organization the opportunity to launch new programs and activities. It consists of three activity rooms, an outdoor playground, a small prep kitchen and storage for program equipment.
Founded in 1949, Hamilton PAL has been serving the community for 75 years. This is the first facility PAL has been able to call home in the organization’s history. Since the organization’s founding, it has rented space at numerous locations throughout the township for practices, meetings and programs.
The organization currently offers programs including Safety Town, wrestling, basketball, field hockey, cheerleading, street hockey and twirling. PAL plans to introduce its first Youth Academy this summer, Aug. 12 through 16. Program information can be found on the PAL website.
“Positive police interactions are essential to maintaining safe communities, and those interactions begin with our youth. Hamilton Police Athletic League looks to engage kids in constructive activities, support them, and guide them, because together we can make a difference,” said Lt. Kristin Seitz, executive director of Hamilton PAL.
“When I head out to Safety Town each year for graduation, I ask this question. Who has been through ‘Safety?’ The majority of the hands (in the crowd) will go up. If you have been through the Safety Town program, you’re been impacted by Hamilton PAL and the amazing work this organization is doing” Martin said at the grand opening.
