Florence Bank and the City of Springfield Collaborate for Community Upgrade

Efforts to renew the basketball court at Greenleaf Community Center are underway

SPRINGFIELD—Florence Bank and the city of Springfield are working together to upgrade the basketball court at Greenleaf Community Center in time for summer, school vacation, and neighborhood pick-up games.

Work to repave and paint the court began earlier in May and is expected to be complete before school ends in June. Two new hoops and backboards will also be installed.

“We are thrilled to have this project underway because we know the children in the neighborhood will benefit this summer—and for many summers to come,” said Florence Bank President and CEO John Heaps Jr.

Nearly two years ago, Florence Bank opened its first branch in Hampden County at 1010 Union St. in West Springfield, and last fall, a second branch opened at 1444 Allen St. “It’s important that we show the community we care about the things that are important to them,” Heaps said, adding, “We like to be good neighbors.”

Florence Bank and the city each contributed $15,000 to the project.

A celebratory event will be held on Tuesday, June 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. The rain date is June 19.

Florence Bank has branches in Amherst, Belchertown, Easthampton, Granby, Hadley, Northampton, Williamsburg, West Springfield, and Springfield, and it is headquartered in Florence.

Florence Bank is a mutually-owned savings bank chartered in 1873. Currently, the bank serves the Pioneer Valley through 11 full-service branch locations in Florence, Northampton, Easthampton, Williamsburg, Amherst, Hadley, Belchertown, Granby, West Springfield and a new branch located on Allen Street in Springfield. Additionally, they offer 28 ATMs and a wide range of financial services including investment management through FSB Financial Group (FSBFG) to consumers and businesses.  Florence Bank is consistently voted best local bank by the readers of the Valley Advocate and the Daily Hampshire Gazette.