Featured photo: 1st District Genesee County Commissioner Delrico Loyd, Delrico Loyd’s nephew Amari Loyd, who also said he loves Berston Fieldhouse and Berston’s Interim Executive Director Valorie Horton.
Written by Tanya Terry, with photos by Tanya Terry
Commissioner Delrico Loyd recently announced the Genesee County Board of Commissioners has denoted a million dollars in federal ARPA funding to help pay for the highly anticipated renovation and expansion project for the historic Berston Fieldhouse.
Loyd was appointed as 1st District Genesee County Commissioner last year, assuming the prior role of Bryant BB Nolden. He expressed he has concern for all of Genesee County and Flint, but particularly the 1st District where Berston is located.
Loyd was one of several people who is now calling on the community to help raise more of the needed funds for Berston Fieldhouse’s renovation and expansion. He noted Berston is not just for kids, but for anyone desiring a better quality of life.
The project includes plans for a new gymnasium, basketball courts, elevated track, an amphitheater for outdoor performances, a splash pad, playground dance studios, a boxing gym, meeting spaces, art and music rooms, pickleball courts, softball diamonds, soccer, football and lacrosse fields – as well as additional parking.
Mayor Sheldon Neeley stressed that during a groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion held in 2023, C.S. Mott Foundation President and CEO Ridgway White announced that the Mott Foundation would be pledging to match contributions dollar-for-dollar up to $5 million for the project. He noted the majority of the available matching dollar funds had not been made available because more donation dollars were needed.
He urged the community to help resurrect a “sleeping giant,” referring to the big vision for Berston that has not come into being as of yet.
“This is our building,” Neeley said.
He said the spirit of Flint is in the brick and mortar building.
“…It has a heartbeat,” he added.
Jacqueline Nolden, the wife of the now deceased Bryant B.B. Nolden and board member of Friends of Berston, also spoke on the day of the recent announcement.
Former 1st Commissioner Bryant B.B. Nolden died on December 7, 2022.
His wife pointed out Berston Fieldhouse was the first recreation facility in the city of Flint that allowed Black Americans.
“This year, Berston is 101 years old,” she said.
Berston Field House was built in 1923 on land donated by children of Flint land developer and philanthropist, Neil J. Berston. So, Jacqueline Nolden thanked the family of Neil J. Berston first.
Jacqueline Nolden said the one million dollars given by the Genesee County Board of Commissioners “would help secure the future of Flint for the next generation.”
Jacqueline Nolden also thanked Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist and Mayor Sheldon Neeley (who was part of the City of Flint donating $1 million previously as part of the matching challenge.)
Jacqueline Nolden also thanked Bryant ‘B.B.’ Nolden for his vision, leadership and commitment to the people of Flint and Genesee County, and to Berston Fieldhouse.
Berston’s Interim Executive Director Valorie Horton told the Courier that outside of the very large donations from the City of Flint and Genesee County, other individuals and organizations had donated about $30,000 to the project as of the announcement date on Feb. 16. This included $1,500 being given the previous Wednesday by the Smooth Steppers Line Dancers. When matched with by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, this donation will total a gift of $3,000.
To donate to the expansion project using PayPal, click here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=P6VWA9W2GEYE2.
