Bellmon, Phillips cut ribbon on Sturgis Recreation Center newly renovated basketball courts
Rep. Anthony Bellmon May 29, 2026
PHILADELPHIA, May 29 – On Thursday evening, state Rep. Anthony Bellmon, D-Phila., and Philadelphia Councilmember Anthony Phillips hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Sturgis Recreation Center to celebrate its newly renovated outdoor basketball courts.
The project was made possible in large part thanks to more than $200,000 in state funding that Bellmon secured last year.
“For decades, the Sturgis Recreation Center has been a cornerstone of the Olney community, providing young people with a safe space to interact with peers and stay active,” Bellmon said. “I was very proud to help secure the funding for this project because these renovated courts are more than just a space to play basketball. They’re an investment in community safety, physical fitness, social interaction, and the growth of our young people. I look forward to seeing the positive impact these courts have on our community today and for years to come.”
The renovations included newly painted and leveled courts, as well as new lights, backboards, and nets.
“Residents in Olney, Melrose Park Gardens, and East Oak Lane demand the best, and they deserve the best. Sturgis Recreation Center is so important to families in our neighborhoods because it gives families a space to feel welcomed. We must continue working intentionally to stabilize our communities by improving spaces like our parks and recreation centers,” Phillips said.
“As chair of City Council’s Committee on Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs, I know improvements like this help strengthen neighborhood pride, improve quality of life, and increase interest in living and doing business in our communities. I’m thankful to State Rep. Anthony Bellmon for securing this critical funding and continuing to bring real investments back home to our community, and to the Olney Community Collaborative, and for being a vital partner in this project.
This is what strong partnership and responsive government look like.”
The legislators were joined by staff from the Sturgis Recreation Center and many members of the Olney community.
Before the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the Jr. 76ers hosted a free youth basketball clinic on the courts.
Now, the courts are open to the public.