New London Recreation Center Adds Hospital As Legacy Partner

NEW LONDON, CT — Lawrence + Memorial Hospital has signed a multi-year agreement with the city to become a Legacy Partner of the New London Recreation and Community Center, according to a statement from the hospital.

The deal gives the hospital exclusive naming rights to the facility’s second floor, which will be called the Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, Yale New Haven Health, Health and Wellness Corridor. The fitness center and several multipurpose rooms will also carry the hospital’s name.

The city will receive a donation from the hospital, paid over five years, to support the operation of the 57,000-square-foot facility at Fort Trumbull. The center includes a swimming pool, a two-court gym, and other amenities.

City officials said the partnership will allow the hospital to expand community-based health and wellness programs. Lawrence + Memorial plans to bring classes and events to the center, including CPR trainings, health screenings, maternity support groups, wellness seminars, and job fairs.

The hospital also expects to host scholarship events and the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Foundation business meeting at the facility.

Mayor Michael Passero said the hospital’s support reflects a long-term investment in the city and its residents.

“The New London Recreation Center is more than just a building," Passero said in a statement from the hospital, "it’s a promise to our community and the city is grateful for the support of legacy partners like Lawrence + Memorial Hospital who are committed to creating a space where wellness, connection, and opportunity come together for every resident,”

Hospital president Rich Lisitano said the partnership represents an effort to improve community health beyond the walls of the hospital.

The recreation center opened earlier this year and is designed as a hub for fitness, education and community engagement.