Enfield athletic club seeks community help after January fire
Feb. 7—ENFIELD — The Grey's Athletic Association, a much-loved men's social club that for decades has supported athletic programs and numerous groups in town, now needs the community's assistance after a structure fire damaged the organization's building in Thompsonville last month.
John Borowski, an officer with the Grey's Club, as it is fondly known, came before the Town Council on Monday night to provide an update on the club.
No one was injured when the fire tore through the historic three-story building on Main Street in the early morning hours of Jan. 7, but it was damaged beyond use.
Borowski said club members are still waiting for reports from the fire marshal and the insurance company, but they would like to save the building.
"To do this, we need everybody's help," he said.
The Grey's Club was founded in 1924 and has a long history of supporting charitable organizations in the Enfield community, Borowski said.
"As we enter our 100th year, we remain committed to this legacy," he said. "For anyone with children who played sports, we sponsored them."
Over the years, Borowski said, the club has donated to many organizations, including the Enfield Food Shelf, Police Benevolent Association, People for People's warming center, Loaves and Fishes, and Take a Vet Fishing.
The club is raising money and needs volunteers who will help, Borowski said. He referred anyone who can donate money to visit the club's GoFundMe page, which will be linked on the town website and on greysaa.com.
The goal is to raise $50,000.
Mayor Bob Cressotti said the town has been speaking with members on ways to help.
In the meantime, he said, town officials will soon find a place for the club to meet.
"It was a horrific scene," Cressotti said of the fire. "It was heart-wrenching to see the building totally gutted that morning."
Patrick Crowley, former president and coach of Enfield Ramblers Youth Football and coach of the Thompsonville Little League, sent a letter to the Town Council in late January that expressed his gratitude for all the Grey's Club has done since before he was a child.
On many occasions, the club sponsored teams or people in need without any acknowledgement, he said.
Crowley recalled a time when Little League had a problem with its concession stand after the grill didn't work, and Borowski showed up with a brand new one.
The club held an emergency meeting, he said, and voted to donate the grill, but didn't need recognition.
Club members were never looking for notoriety but just wanted to help, Crowley said.
"The Grey's Club has been great stewards of our community and a silent support system for the youth of Enfield," he said. "I encourage the state, the town, and any private individuals to help continue the legacy of this club and to help facilitate the rebuilding, restructuring, or relocation of this organization."
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