LETTER: Convert One Tennis Court to a Basketball Court

Former basketball court sits unused; Town has granted developer Echelon an extension until May 1 to begin work.

Former basketball court sits unused. Town has granted developer Echelon Resources an extension until May 1 to begin work.

January 11, 2013

DEAR EDITOR,

Was it necessary for the town to remove the basketball hoops at this time?

The developer of the old school, Echelon Resources, has requested more time before beginning construction, due to the court hearing in late January.

Couldn’t the town have waited to see the outcome, or at least discussed the matter with residents to come up with an alternative solution?

The basketball court was the center of physical activity for children and young men and women of all colors, and it was the only exercise facility available to students at Cape Charles Christian School.

One basketball court was enough to entertain and provide exercise for 10 or more youths at the same time.

No one complained about the rusted hoops, broken chains, uneven court, or lack of safety measures to protect the children from running to the middle of the Madison Street to retrieve the basketball.

The basketball court was the ONLY place where children and young people got away from TV, cell phones, text messaging, and computer games.

It was a place where young people could learn to work in a group and cooperate with each other.

There is a solution to our loss of a basketball court: Convert the two tennis courts to one tennis court and one basketball court.

CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE

This could be done by removing one of the tennis court’s net-polls, covering the poll hole, and wrapping the center light court post with thick foam for safety.

Then purchase 52-inch Lifetime Portable Basketball Hoops (model 90167) with 3mm shatterproof MaKrolon backboards.

The equipment allows height adjustment from 7 to 10 feet, making it suitable for all ages.

Extra-large 35-gallon roller bases filled with sand provide rigidity and withstand 40-mph winds and aggressive play.

The cost for each portable hoop is $379.99.

A noise policy and operating hours should be established in consultation with nearby residents.

I am available for discussion.

VICTOR ABRAHAMIAN

Letters to the Editor are welcome on any subject relevant to Cape Charles, and a diversity of opinions is encouraged.  Letters should be original and never submitted elsewhere. Send submissions to [email protected].

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2 Responses to “LETTER: Convert One Tennis Court to a Basketball Court”

  1. David Kabler on January 11th, 2013 1:55 pm

    I appreciate the concern of closing the basketball court because I have noticed during the many times I used the tennis courts how often it is in use. I can imagine that the backboards were removed upon sale of the school property out of concern for liability in case someone is hurt playing there.
    As an avid tennis player I am not in favor of losing one of only two courts available to the public in the Town of Cape Charles. Only four people can use a court at one time so it is easy for both courts to be used at the same time. Certainly a case can be made for converting one of the courts to basketball use, but then we lose one of our tennis courts. The Town is committed to providing another basketball court so we should wait for that to happen instead.

  2. Deborah Bender on January 11th, 2013 8:20 pm

    I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for this town to create another basketball court. This town only cares about bringing in tourists and what the tourists want. I guess basketball just isn’t something that tourists want.