Councilman could seek council’s support to close court if not repaired
Pool opens at noon on June 23
Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
Tu’Quan Breeden, 22, carefully places his foot in the crack under one of the basketball hoops at Dobbins Heights Community Park. The cracks are 1 inch or more deep and run across the court in most every direction.
By Kevin Spradlin
PeeDeePost.com
DOBBINS HEIGHTS — As the foundation is prepared for the new Dobbins Heights Community Center, the basketball court in the town park adjacent to the building site leaves Quentin Gore grimacing.
Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
Quentin Gore, in green, allows Tu’Quan Breeden to dribble around him in a friendly hoops session Thursday at Dobbins Heights Community Park.
Gore, 19, approached Town Council Thursday during the council’s regular public meeting and asked if anything could be done to repair the damaged surface. Cracks several feet long and at least an inch deep run all over the court. One especially misplaced crack under one of the basketballs is in a basketball player’s typical landing zone after a layup, which could lead to injury.
“So many kids end up getting hurt” while playing there, said Gore, whose home is within sight of the court.
Gore left the meeting to go p lay ball with several friends. They all agreed the court is in dire need of repairs.
“It’s pretty messed up,” said Tu’Quan Breeden, 22, as he shot baskets with Gore, Greg Galbreath, 21, and Vonnie Dawkins, all of Dobbins Heights.
Councilman Tyre’ Holloway agreed the current state of the court is a “liability” to the town. Holloway said he’s hopeful the town can put out a request for proposals, determine how much the resurfacing project would cost and then find funding sources to pay for it.
Gore suggested someone approach a local paving company, or even Lowe’s — Gore’s employer — to see if anyone could offer some help through donations of labor, material, manpower or money.
Quentin Gore
Holloway said he’s open to any approach that would get the job done quickly. Otherwise, he said, he’ll consider asking the council to block the court from public use.
“I don’t want to do that,” Holloway said.
Holloway said instead that he’d like to “come up with a solution” as soon as possible, and added that the park’s tennis court — in even worse shape than the basketball court — is also on the target list for possible repairs when the money is available.
In other town parks and recreation news, Councilwoman Angeline K. David announced that the pool at Dobbins Heights Community Park would open at noon on June 23. She said the cost will be $2 per person.
“That is a great price,” David said. “This year I plan to get in myself.”
David also used the time during her parks and recreation report to make a general plea for donations for playground equipment at the park.
“We need it, we need it, we need it,” David said.
Discussion