Abandoned Jai Alai fronton in Milford CT. Vacant since 2001 and demolished in 2007 to make way for a Lowes (despite there being another about 4 miles away) www.newenglandruins.com
The name Jai Alai brings me back to great times.. Oh I never went to see it.. But I remember my parents, Aunts and Uncles all talking about it and getting dressed up to go..But I do remember seeing this building off the highway and always thought it resembled an airport for some reason.. It was truly a special time, early 80s.. Wish we could all go back to that time.. Life was much simpler, much more fun.
thx for the video !! It was opening year 1977 i was a security guard there that season, i could go on all night w/ stories and memories of that season including the birth of my 1st child . The pics you showed here were a real treat to see THX AGAIN its appreciated. G.SPIN
used to drive from mid Long Island to Milford every few weeks to get my jai alai fix...hated the LOOOONG drive home after...what a shame it's gone,lotta great memories there,place was always packed and full of energy during it's peak
I use to work there parking car's on the weekend's, If you worked there you could play on the court,when the facility was closed to the public, A lot of fun,man that was so long ago,a lot of good time's.
Juaristi, who was alternately brilliant and lazy (corrupt), was the top player during the time I attended. Bolivar was the best I've seen, but played at Bridgeport in his prime. So many great memories. So much money lost.
When juaristi turned it on...and he had the flair...nobody was better. I was there live partido remen urquiga vs zulaica boniguen. Boniguens young wife or girlfriend was there in stands one day, she was stunning.
The Great Bolivar played Milford, I grew up watching him and Mark, FO and others. I played amateur for a bit as well and really wanted to go pro. Great video, thanks for posting. Lots of great memories and eerie seeing it as a ghost town. I'm trying to get an Amateur Jai-Alai scene going down here in Austin, TX now. Watch for it baby, we'll be the baddest and fastest cats on earth!
I went to jail alai Saturday and Sunday ...bridgeport and milford. Look at that parking lot....grass andnweedsm.not being kept. My father used to park there for the performance. We used to stay at motel that I think connected that ping lot.
Bolivar was at Milford for a few years, late in his career. He was on the roster with his nephew, who was known as Xabat. He wasn't in his prime at that point but still could dominate a game.
Wasn't the opening of the Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun Indian casinos the death knell for Milford Jai Alai? I guess the sad fact is that the fans went to Jai Alai more for the gambling than to watch this great game and talented players. Kind of eerie watching your video of the place deserted. I remember one night a friend and I got there a little late and couldn't get two adjoining seats it was so packed. Thanks for the memory.
Yes, and no. Milford lasted until 2001, and they were trying to form a partnership with the Mohegan Tribe which would have put slot machines in the fronton. If this deal happened, who knows? We might STILL have jai alai in Connecticut today. But the state nixed the plan, holding fast to the law that slot machines are illegal in the state, except on treaty-granted Native American land. They also weren't allowed to show horse and dog racing there (even though you could bet on them), because they were too close to the teletheater in New Haven (which to this day is still open). If they were granted slots and a simulcast license, they would definitely still be around. Probably on a limited schedule like what you see in Florida (8-game "performances" to meet a quota), but nonetheless still operating.
hey taz6886 and cman7142000 I remember Charlie's Amatuer jai alai ju. st the mention of the place takes me back. Friends of mine used to play there and I would sit on the bleachers and watch. It is sad seeing places are gone. :( I had lot of good times there
15 research drive ..Charlie's wife or girl was pretty good as well. Yogi was there at amateur maybe 1980....I went to ymca God maybe 1977 78 they played jai alai before amateur was built.
I think Churrucca lives in trumbull ct.As great as he was he was not as flashy or as incredible to watch as Chimela.if you saw them 1st couple of years at bpt as i did i think that you would agree.
Chimela was the Mister Excitement. He brought people out of their seats when he would scale the wall like Spiderman, catch the ball, and return the shot between his legs. Nobody could do what he did. Unfortunately, that car wreck he had in Spain a couple years after Bridgeport started took that away from him. He came back, but wasn't the same player. Churruca was the master player though. He was into his 40s when Bridgeport opened up, but had the reflexes of a 17 year old. He also had a knack of knowing exactly where the opponent's shot was going--before he even threw it. He never had to climb the wall or do other thrilling tricks. And there was nobody better than Churruca catching the ball at the over serve line in singles, acting like he was throwing it deep, and changing mid-delivery to a dejada which cleared the lower pad by about 3 inches.
Somebody help me out..Besides Casinos becoming more prevelant, how did Jai Lai's popularity decrease so much ?? Use to be 20+ Frontons now only 5. JaiLai's USA headquarters in 1990s make bad decisions , not use marketing and advertising? Scandals ?
In 1988, the players at almost every fronton (I believe Milford was the only exception) went on strike. Frontons scrambled to sign amateur American players, some of whom were actually decent and others were....ummm.....guys who I used to beat pretty regularly in the amateur court down the road from Milford; I was a decent back court player but not professional caliber by any means, and I had no desire to quit college and try to become a scab player on a week-to-week contract which is what these guys received...if the strike was settled, you're fired. A few of the regulars crossed the line and continued to play, but the quality of the on-court product went WAY down. The strike lasted 3 1/2 years; during that time Bridgeport and Hartford closed down, half of the 10 in Florida shut down. Newport Rhode Island put in slot machines, and then the state enacted the de-coupling bill which meant that they could keep the casino without the jai-alai, so they went away. Milford wanted to partner with Mohegan Sun to put slots in the fronton, and they held onto that hope until 2001. When the state outright rejected the idea (holding that slots aren't legal anywhere in Connecticut except on Native American land), they finally, reluctantly, closed their doors.
The strike hurt ...not sure maybe 1987? The players were going at it with fans who crossed the line. It was a fad...wasn't as big as horse racing amd people always thought it was fixed.
Lived in Milford during the frontons heyday, and remember how popular it was at its peak. Management was shoddy, however, and they did their best to make it unpopular. Anyone know what became of Churruca (sp?). How did you get the inside shots?
I use to love going there to watch the players play. Liked it when I hit and was pissed when I didn't but loved it all the same. Now that they are gone I like telling the Story of Jai alai here in the US. Very interesting story if you ask me.
The only Bridgeport footage I've ever seen is the video which was made by the guy from "Taxi" (who was a MAJOR LEAGUE jai alai fan) from their first opening night. It was made on movie film and the quality of the video conversion isn't the greatest, but you can find it.
How about the amateur jai alai that was close by on the other side of the truck stop? I played there quite a bit when I was young. Don't forget about Bolivar! I think he only played in Bridgeport though.
plus his girl new sometimes when players were not going to go after it...i then looked it up in the paper the next day and she was right on ...what a scamm....american players ..she new them
That used to be my favorite place on Earth. I almost cried watching it
The name Jai Alai brings me back to great times.. Oh I never went to see it.. But I remember my parents, Aunts and Uncles all talking about it and getting dressed up to go..But I do remember seeing this building off the highway and always thought it resembled an airport for some reason.. It was truly a special time, early 80s.. Wish we could all go back to that time.. Life was much simpler, much more fun.
th-cam.com/video/x-FKn0jSM6I/w-d-xo.html
I announced Jai Alai for many years- Tampa, Hartford and Ft Pierce. Such a beautiful game that was grossly mismanaged at all levels. I miss Jai Alai!
Whatever happened to Jeff Holtz?
Honored to have been part of this great history 4 months during the the 92' season.
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thx for the video !! It was opening year 1977 i was a security guard there that season, i could go on all night w/ stories and memories of that season including the birth of my 1st child . The pics you showed here were a real treat to see THX AGAIN its appreciated. G.SPIN
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I opened it also! Which guard are you? I worked 2/3rd snack bar and bars! My name is Debbie!
I remember the black guy who shined the shoes. Do you remember the degenerate gambler old guy the Greek?
used to drive from mid Long Island to Milford every few weeks to get my jai alai fix...hated the LOOOONG drive home after...what a shame it's gone,lotta great memories there,place was always packed and full of energy during it's peak
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I,also lived on long Island hicksville
So sad to see this facility was torn down for Lowe's!
They weren't making money anymore....
In a country that embraces the UFC as "sport" there is little place left for something as graceful and beautiful as jai alai.
I use to work there parking car's on the weekend's, If you worked there you could play on the court,when the facility was closed to the public, A lot of fun,man that was so long ago,a lot of good time's.
That's awesome you played on that court
what a shame....such a manificent palace destryed!!
@steviacat the town allowed me inside to take these photos around 2004.
Thanks for the upload!
Juaristi, who was alternately brilliant and lazy (corrupt), was the top player during the time I attended. Bolivar was the best I've seen, but played at Bridgeport in his prime. So many great memories. So much money lost.
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When juaristi turned it on...and he had the flair...nobody was better. I was there live partido remen urquiga vs zulaica boniguen. Boniguens young wife or girlfriend was there in stands one day, she was stunning.
The Great Bolivar played Milford, I grew up watching him and Mark, FO and others. I played amateur for a bit as well and really wanted to go pro. Great video, thanks for posting. Lots of great memories and eerie seeing it as a ghost town. I'm trying to get an Amateur Jai-Alai scene going down here in Austin, TX now. Watch for it baby, we'll be the baddest and fastest cats on earth!
Mark RIP. I believe he died of a blood clot in his lung?
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@@michaelperry6376 I'd love to go try out. After many months of practice
They r looking for players small court in Florida
I went to jail alai Saturday and Sunday ...bridgeport and milford. Look at that parking lot....grass andnweedsm.not being kept. My father used to park there for the performance. We used to stay at motel that I think connected that ping lot.
Milford’s best money maker for all. I worked there for years! Too bad it got screwed and torn down. What a shame.
Vacationed in Milford many summers ago, remember the building in operation
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Bolivar was at Milford for a few years, late in his career. He was on the roster with his nephew, who was known as Xabat. He wasn't in his prime at that point but still could dominate a game.
th-cam.com/video/74LqCEQSzfI/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/0GPXR3iIrjI/w-d-xo.html
Where did the soundtrack for this video come from ? Very touching
Makes me cry. Who provided the background music?
Very nice, loved it
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Wasn't the opening of the Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun Indian casinos the death knell for Milford Jai Alai? I guess the sad fact is that the fans went to Jai Alai more for the gambling than to watch this great game and talented players. Kind of eerie watching your video of the place deserted. I remember one night a friend and I got there a little late and couldn't get two adjoining seats it was so packed. Thanks for the memory.
Yes, and no. Milford lasted until 2001, and they were trying to form a partnership with the Mohegan Tribe which would have put slot machines in the fronton. If this deal happened, who knows? We might STILL have jai alai in Connecticut today. But the state nixed the plan, holding fast to the law that slot machines are illegal in the state, except on treaty-granted Native American land. They also weren't allowed to show horse and dog racing there (even though you could bet on them), because they were too close to the teletheater in New Haven (which to this day is still open). If they were granted slots and a simulcast license, they would definitely still be around. Probably on a limited schedule like what you see in Florida (8-game "performances" to meet a quota), but nonetheless still operating.
Casinos ended it..yes..
hey taz6886 and cman7142000 I remember Charlie's Amatuer jai alai ju.
st the mention of the place takes me back. Friends of mine used to play there and I would sit on the bleachers and watch. It is sad seeing places are gone. :( I had lot of good times there
th-cam.com/video/HVKFONvW-7Q/w-d-xo.html
15 research drive ..Charlie's wife or girl was pretty good as well. Yogi was there at amateur maybe 1980....I went to ymca God maybe 1977 78 they played jai alai before amateur was built.
I think Churrucca lives in trumbull ct.As great as he was he was not as flashy or as incredible to watch as Chimela.if you saw them 1st couple of years at bpt as i did i think that you would agree.
Chimela was the Mister Excitement. He brought people out of their seats when he would scale the wall like Spiderman, catch the ball, and return the shot between his legs. Nobody could do what he did. Unfortunately, that car wreck he had in Spain a couple years after Bridgeport started took that away from him. He came back, but wasn't the same player.
Churruca was the master player though. He was into his 40s when Bridgeport opened up, but had the reflexes of a 17 year old. He also had a knack of knowing exactly where the opponent's shot was going--before he even threw it. He never had to climb the wall or do other thrilling tricks. And there was nobody better than Churruca catching the ball at the over serve line in singles, acting like he was throwing it deep, and changing mid-delivery to a dejada which cleared the lower pad by about 3 inches.
Was churruca the best backcourt u have ever seen? Chimela I saw bridgeport
Wow...
@tommy3663 im just learning about jai alai n i think its awesome. i play baseball n i think they connect beautifully.
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Somebody help me out..Besides Casinos becoming more prevelant, how did Jai Lai's popularity decrease so much ?? Use to be 20+ Frontons now only 5. JaiLai's USA headquarters in 1990s make bad decisions , not use marketing and advertising? Scandals ?
In 1988, the players at almost every fronton (I believe Milford was the only exception) went on strike. Frontons scrambled to sign amateur American players, some of whom were actually decent and others were....ummm.....guys who I used to beat pretty regularly in the amateur court down the road from Milford; I was a decent back court player but not professional caliber by any means, and I had no desire to quit college and try to become a scab player on a week-to-week contract which is what these guys received...if the strike was settled, you're fired. A few of the regulars crossed the line and continued to play, but the quality of the on-court product went WAY down. The strike lasted 3 1/2 years; during that time Bridgeport and Hartford closed down, half of the 10 in Florida shut down. Newport Rhode Island put in slot machines, and then the state enacted the de-coupling bill which meant that they could keep the casino without the jai-alai, so they went away. Milford wanted to partner with Mohegan Sun to put slots in the fronton, and they held onto that hope until 2001. When the state outright rejected the idea (holding that slots aren't legal anywhere in Connecticut except on Native American land), they finally, reluctantly, closed their doors.
The strike hurt ...not sure maybe 1987? The players were going at it with fans who crossed the line. It was a fad...wasn't as big as horse racing amd people always thought it was fixed.
Scandals didn't have a,say in final jai alai....strike did amd casinos
Leonard Myers owner is still alive. I called him in 2024...but he's very old and we spoke very briefly ...hes just very old
Lived in Milford during the frontons heyday, and remember how popular it was at its peak. Management was shoddy, however, and they did their best to make it unpopular. Anyone know what became of Churruca (sp?). How did you get the inside shots?
th-cam.com/video/YTp9TPLOJKg/w-d-xo.html
Churruca still lives in CT I believe....justisti is incflorida. Lasa has a BBQ for fans n ex players at his house in summer. If u go be civil.
Bring it back! =(
I use to love going there to watch the players play. Liked it when I hit and was pissed when I didn't but loved it all the same. Now that they are gone I like telling the Story of Jai alai here in the US. Very interesting story if you ask me.
Mucho Bandito !
what year did milford amateur jai alai close?
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Very sad. Is there any footage of the Bridgeport fronton anywhere?
The only Bridgeport footage I've ever seen is the video which was made by the guy from "Taxi" (who was a MAJOR LEAGUE jai alai fan) from their first opening night. It was made on movie film and the quality of the video conversion isn't the greatest, but you can find it.
th-cam.com/video/HVKFONvW-7Q/w-d-xo.html
that was pretty cool. i remember underage gambling at the hartford fronton in high school during the 80's.
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Yo trabajaba en el ice cream parlot
Muy bien! Es una pena que ya no ay Jai Alai
Great vid.Sad to see it go as the state of ct.screwed em all.Fine place but to me never had the cache of Bpt.jai alai
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How about the amateur jai alai that was close by on the other side of the truck stop? I played there quite a bit when I was young. Don't forget about Bolivar! I think he only played in Bridgeport though.
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Bolivar played later on mikford. He left bridgeport to play at a new front on in Madrid that,was never built and bsck to usa
This isnt HD either.
NOT 720p.....
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sad
So sad. Loved to watch Inclan play.
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what was the address for this place wnd what's there now
Old Gate Lane in Milford, CT. It's now a Lowe's.
plus his girl new sometimes when players were not going to go after it...i then looked it up in the paper the next day and she was right on ...what a scamm....american players ..she new them
In response jai alai is the most fixed sport
Fixed or not, if you just played your favorite numbers instead of trying to handicap the players, it made no difference.
my roomate stole all my money and sold my tv to bet at this place......what a scammm
I hate these long, boring videos. Just get to the point.
Red Burtley nobody cares.
Exactly. Nobody cares. You nailed it!
Red Burtley Whiny little bitch.
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