Committee allocates $150,000 for basketball courts

0

The Delaware Community Coalition’s goal to have basketball courts near downtown is expected to come to fruition.

The Delaware Recreation Levy Sub-Committee allocated Monday $150,000 from remaining recreation levy funds for courts at Blue Limestone Park. Programming includes fundamental basketball lessons, 3-on-3 tournaments, league play and an adult league. The coalition is expected to contribute about $16,000 for the installation of the poles, backboards, rims and nets.

Parks and Natural Resources Director Ted Miller said the city plans to apply for grant money and reach out for community donations to supplement the fund for the courts.

The city has more than $533,288 left over from the levy approved in 2008 to build the Delaware Community Center YMCA and improve city parks.

The committee decided against plans to install a park irrigation system for $286,000 at three of the city’s parks including Smith and Veterans. Councilman Chris Jones opposed disrupting service to install the system and considered it unnecessary. Also scrapped was $18,000 for drainage and excavation for community gardens.

The city will move forward to remove concrete planters at Mingo Park’s pool deck. Miller said he would bring back cost estimates to renovate Mingo’s Hilborn Room indoor facility and entryway. But volunteers will do some painting and possibly do a river cleanup. The city would pay $5,000 for the paint materials, which would come out of the parks department’s budget instead of the recreation levy fund.

In addition, the committee approved $68,414 for enhancements at the Spray and Play at Veterans: a shade structure and concrete pad; park sign with the city’s logo; central plaza enhancements; electrical service outlet installation; and expanded playground entrance. The funds were already allocated and will not be paid from remaining levy funds, Miller said.

By Brandon Klein

[email protected]

Gazette reporter Brandon Klein can be reached by email or on Twitter at @brandoneklein.

No posts to display