WS Chronicle

Resolution approves renaming of gymnasium in honor of Ben Piggott

Soon the gym at the William C. Sims Sr. Neighborhood Center will be renamed to honor a living legend and longtime Winston-Salem Recreation and Parks Department employee Ben Piggott. During their meeting on Monday, May 28, the City Council voted unanimously to approve the renaming of the gym in Piggott’s honor. 

A native of Winston-Salem after working part-time for the Recreation and Parks Department for several years, in 1991 Piggott was named supervisor at the Sims Center. Throughout his 26 years of dedicated service Piggott touched the lives of thousands of children and families in the community with programs such as Peace Toys for War Toys Exchange and Bingo For Turkeys just to name a few. Piggott is also the mastermind behind the annual Happy Hill Reunion, a community celebration held to celebrate one of the city’s first African American neighborhoods.

For his generosity and willingness to go above and beyond to uplift his community, Piggott has been recognized on the local, state, and national levels. He has been named Man of the Year by The Chronicle, he’s a North Carolina Governor’s Award recipient, and in 2000 he received the National Crime Prevention Award for his efforts to create crime prevention initiatives in the area. 

Before making a motion to approve the renaming of the gym Councilmember and East Ward Representative Annette Scippio said it was an honor to be able to give Piggott his flowers while he can still see and smell them. 

She said Piggott has shown us all what true servant leadership looks like. 

“It’s rare that we have residents who truly give from their heart and love everybody that they come in contact with,” continued Scippio. “Mr.Piggott has touched the lives of little children, toddlers, big kids, teenagers, even the seniors. His dedication and service is what we call over the top.”

Councilmember James Taylor, who is the publisher of The Chronicle, applauded Piggott for his service as well. He said, “You have touched thousands of lives just being hands on and being a father figure to those who had fathers and those who did not. A brother figure for those who had brothers and those who did not. 

“…This isn’t something I’ve heard this is stuff I’ve witnessed firsthand so I just wanted to pull this item to say thank you for your service to this community.” 

After the vote passed unanimously, Piggott thanked the council for their efforts to honor his legacy. Although he retired in 2017 Piggott still spends his days giving and helping others.  He teaches a “Senior Sittercize” class five days a week. He said he has loved every moment he spent working with the W-S Recreation and Parks Department and helping others.

“I want to thank everyone here and all the council members. It has been a blessing to grow up in this city and work for the Recreation and Parks Department,” he said.