Basketball is another step closer to being a reality in Forbes after Forbes Shire Council resolved to upgrade all three basketball courts at Grinsted Oval.
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The works will include the renewal of the line marking, the supply and installation of fully adjustable backboards, repair of edges and the provision of a grassed two metre wide perimeter, at a cost of $12,600 which council will source from existing maintenance budgets.
“This is fantastic to see these old courts be regenerated,” Cr Jeff Nicholson said at last Thursday’s August council meeting.
Council resolved to do the upgrades after the Forbes Basketball Association (FBA) contacted them earlier this year regarding fixing up the old courts.
“We had representation from junior basketball, as there is a lot of enthusiasm for basketball in Forbes,” mayor Phyllis Miller said.
“We realised we haven’t got a public facility, so council inspected the old courts and resolved that we could bring them back up to standard at a very reasonable cost.
“It’ll be a good thing for the whole town.
“Hopefully in time, depending on our budget, we can put a COLA over the top so they can play in the rain and upgrade the lighting.”
While there will still be plenty more work to do at the old courts, such as installing lights, FBA committee member Gavin Montgomery said it’s a great start.
“We’re excited about it,” he said.
“Council went above and beyond for us, so we’ve got to make sure everything happens on our end.
“We’ve still got a long way to go.”
The upgrades will mean that the courts will be safe to play on as they previously didn’t meet Basketball NSW’s safety requirements.
At this stage, FBA are still negotiating with Basketball NSW about a starting date but are hoping to get a summer competition going.
Mr Montgomery said they are currently organising a coaching and a referee course for mid October for anyone interested, and will be holding some come and try days in the near future.
“The first step is to get the courts done and get it up and running,” he said.
“We’ve still got to get scoreboards, whistles, shirts, balls.
“It’s been a long road...but we wanted to start low and aim high.”
Mr Montgomery said the upgrades to the courts will be not just for the basketball association but for the whole community. He wants to thank council for all their support.
“Council have been very supportive and positive,” he said. “We can’t be more grateful for what they’ve done for us. Brian [Steffen] has been really great, he’s a fantastic general manager.”
If anyone is interested in participating in the coaching or referee course, contact Gavin on 0418 986 553.
