Turlock’s Donnelly Park could soon be home to a second half-court basketball court.
The Turlock Parks, Recreation, and Community Programs Commission asked for the item to be placed on their April agenda, when a vote on the new court will be taken.
The potential of adding a second court came about after nearby resident Mendeep Kaur wrote a letter to the City of Turlock
“We love to play the game every day and go there, but sometimes due to only one basket it gets occupied with other players and it becomes impossible to go and play at the same time,” Kaur wrote. “So I would request to the City Park Commission to extend the play area court and add more baskets so that more players can play at the same time.”
Kaur requested that the half-court be made into a full court, rather than a second half-court being added. But a second half-court makes more sense, city staff said.
Adding a full court would require the demolition of the existing half-court, due to the slope of nearby land..
And if a full court replaces the current half-court, it’s not sure to accommodate more players. One full-court game would likely be played, rather than two half-court games.
The second court would likely be added near the large wooden playground in Donnelly Park. It would not be lit at night.
The facility would cost roughly $5,500 in parts and materials. City labor would likely add a further $10,000 in costs.
The Parks, Recreation, and Community Programs Commission will make a final decision on the new basketball court at next month’s meeting, when true construction costs are known.
Commissioner Jeremy Rocha supported the installation of a larger basketball complex, with multiple courts to meet demand. Commissioner Brent Bohlender seemed hesitant about even another half-court, noting oft-heard citizen concerns about the loss of open space.
The new half-court seems feasible, however, due to its relatively affordable cost and ease of installation.
“It sounds like it would be a good start,” Turlock Parks, Recreation and Community Programs Commission Chair Mike Dowd said.
Commissioners expressed hope that members of the public will attend next month’s meeting to offer further feedback about the need for a new basketball court – or complex – at Donnelly Park.
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