Garfield Hts. church gets another helping hand in its quest to improve the gym

GARFIELD HEIGHTS — A new season of outdoor basketball began in early September at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Garfield Heights.

The church started inviting teenagers to its church about 20 years ago, wanting to provide them with fun, safety and life lessons.

In May, Karen Dutton, the church’s youth and family minister, shared with me the church’s goal of installing new lighting and other upgrades to the aging facility.

Watch an original News 5 story detailing the impact of the basketball program and the needs of the gym.

This gym at St. John’s Lutheran Church has been a blessing to Garfield Hts. Now he needs help.

After News 5 went on the air, Dutton said donations poured in from the community and R&E Electric pitched in and installed new LED lights over the summer.

See New 5’s report on the new gym lighting

Bright: Garfield Heights church gets major upgrades weeks before outdoor basketball returns

Dutton said the new look was impressive and the players expressed their appreciation.

“They feel like they’re playing in a real gym, not something that’s temporary for them,” Dutton said.

When the church ran the ball down the court during a lighting upgrade, it caught the attention of Garfield Heights Mayor Matt Burke.

“I think you were there with us when we looked at that court, it just didn’t have enough tiles,” Berker said. “This is not a very adequate floor.”

The floor was patched in many areas, but remained uneven in places, cracked and a safety concern.

“It’s a call to arms, and essentially we’ve come together, we’ve cooperated.

Burke had several conversations with the church, the Garfield Heights City Council, Cuyahoga County Council President Purnell Jones Jr. and District 9 Councilwoman Meredith Turner.

Those conversations led to the adoption of a resolution asking the Cuyahoga County Council to provide about $36,000 in USA Rescue Act funding to the City of Garfield Heights for a flooring project for the St. John Lutheran, which will provide a brand new floor for the gymnasium.

Burke and Jones Jr. said the request is not limited to basketball games.

“I’m playing basketball, who wants to bounce on the floor, and that ball bounces crooked, you know?” Jones Jr. said, “The church serves not only spiritual needs, but also beyond the community, and this is an example of human development.”

Burke appeared before the Cuyahoga County Community Development Committee on Monday to advocate for the funding. He reiterated the importance of investing in programs that help keep youth out of trouble.

“It helps build that family dynamic that I think is missing in our society today,” Burke said. “You’ll never be able to appreciate the smiles it brings to these young people.”

The committee recommended that the decision be put to a vote by the full council. Jones Jr. said final action is expected by the end of November.

Dutton is optimistic about the possibility of a smoother foundation and how the church can further open its space to the community.

“I’ve always been a glass-half-full or more kind of person, so it just gets my wheels turning when I see what else we have to offer,” Dutton said.

Burke spoke with the church about possibly hosting volleyball and other events in the future.