Hoop dreams renewed as park gets new court
Overgrown lot turned into best in the village
A bright blue and gray basketball court at Firemen's Park has replaced an overgrown lot with hoops at the ends.
Director of the Germantown Park and Recreation Department Brett Altergott predicts the new, long-awaited court "is going to the place to go" for pick-up games on summer evenings.
Completed late last month, the court rehabilitates an area that had been deteriorating for years.
"It really improved the area," he said.
Planning for the court began in 2007, Altergott said, in conjunction with plans to expand the Germantown Senior Activity Center, which abuts the park.
The court, formerly an ice skating rink, had fallen into disrepair, Altergott said, and a portion was removed for part of the senior center's expansion. There was also no access to a park shed located at the site.
While the village had granted approval of the project for 2008, Altergott said he wanted to wait until drainage issues at the senior center had been resolved and for oil and asphalt prices to stabilize.
Construction costs were $42,000, plus about $8,000 for engineering. The village used its capital reserve fund, which is leftover funding when other projects are finished under budget, Altergott said.
The project was about $800 over budget, Altergott said. About 40 feet of a pathway created to provide access to the shed had to be dug up because of unstable fill material. The path connects the park, court and shed.
The court was raised two feet, using the old asphalt and new stone, Altergott said.
The new court is the best in the village, Altergott said, and he is hoping it becomes a hot spot in the village.
"It will give us opportunities we didn't have before," he said.
Altergott is considering a three-on-three tournament next year as part of the Fourth of July festivities. Also, he said there is potential to work with local establishments to create leagues for the court and the adjoining sand volleyball court.
The baskets can be raised and lowered, allowing for some youth recreation offerings, too, Altergott said.
"We have to offer kids places to go," he said.
- K. L. Klein
