Allentown spends $165,000 to improve its basketball courts, other facilities

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/

FROM KEITH GROLLER

There's little doubt that Allentown is a summer basketball mecca.

The Stellar Summer Boys Basketball League brings teams from throughout the Lehigh Valley and beyond to Cedar Beach every Tuesday and Thursday nights.

And, of course, next month's Stellar and SportsFest tournaments will bring dozens of teams into the city, specifically Cedar Beach.

But upgrading courts at all city venues has been a priority, and for me, it's good to hear that these facilities have been upgraded and improved, and in some cases courts have been added,  because participation in sports is a good thing for our youth and the basketball goes on all the time -- not just during the high school league and summer tournaments.

Here's a release from the City of Allentown detailing the improvements: 

COURT IMPROVEMENTS NEAR COMPLETION

Basketball players of all ages are finding resurfaced courts at facilities throughout the City of Allentown.  The Department of Parks & Recreation is completing more than $165,000 in improvements to basketball and other courts at nine city facilities.

The work included cleaning, patching, repairing and resurfacing two basketball courts at Irving and Jordan parks, one full and one-half basketball court at Trout Creek West and single full basketball courts at Fountain Park and Jordan Meadows. 

Completion is expected next month on a $56,000 project at Percy Ruhe Park. Former tennis courts are being resurfaced and relined for use as two new basketball courts.  An existing basketball court is also being resurfaced.  Player benches, a scorer’s table, spectator bleachers, lighting and fencing are included in the improvements.

Basketball courts at Roosevelt, Keck and Valania parks were resurfaced in 2013 along with the roller hockey rink at Jordan Meadows and tennis courts at Irving Park.

“Whether our kids are playing in organized leagues or adults just wanting to play in pick-up games, you don’t have to go far to play on some of the best outdoor facilities around,” said Mayor Ed Pawlowski.

The city-sponsored summer basketball league consists of 48 teams playing in six divisions ranging from ages 9-to-14.  Teams are currently playing at Cedar Beach Park and Irving Park.  They will move from Irving Park to Percy Ruhe Park upon completion of the project.

The city also supports summer high school varsity and jayvee basketball leagues at Cedar Beach Park.

The repair and resurfacing work was performed by Gary Black Pavement and Maintenance Contractors Inc. of Bath.  Fencing was installed by Anchor Fence Co. Inc. of Allentown.  Diefenderfer Electrical and Technology Solutions of Allentown supplied and installed the lighting.