By Lise Hull
Staff Writer
Friday, July 25, 2008 |
Photo by Steve McCasland
New court facility
Quinten Coomer, left, puts up a shot during a Bandon Community Youth Center morning basketball camp last week. Pictured, left to right, are Coomer, Coleton Jackson, Shane Wheeler and Coach Harv Schubothe. A basketball camp for girls in grades 4 to 8 is scheduled at the Youth Center beginning July 21, followed by another boys roundball camp starting on July 28.
A sturdy wooden fence allowed gusty winds to ease through the court as teen-agers prepared to compete in friendly competition. Nearby, the barbecue smoked and sizzled, ready to cook hamburgers and hot-dogs for hungry players and guests. The cranberry princesses stood by to help prepare the orders.
Anticipation filled the air. But only a few people showed up.
After more than a month of finalizing paperwork and delays caused by the weather, the Youth Center’s new outdoor basketball court was officially opened on Saturday. An open house and barbecue accompanied the event. In use since July 1, the court has already been tested by attendees of a boys basketball camp, and this week the court is being used for a girls basketball camp.
Monetary contributions, discounted services and volunteer labor from as far away as Medford were crucial to completion of the court, center director Harv Schubothe noted. Most of the funds came from the caddies at the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, who held a fundraiser last year which netted $6,200 in donations. Mike Keiser, owner of the resort, matched their contribution, for a total of about $12,700, Schubothe said.
According to Mary Knapp, administrative assistant to Ken Brooke of Bandon Dunes’ caddie services, the idea to give something back to the community came from the caddies themselves.
“Ken decided that the Youth Center would be a great place to donate the money,” she said.
“Once they were into it,” she added, “the caddies were really into it.”
As were the basketball players at Saturday’s opening.
“It’s cool,” said Alex Giovannetti.
“It’s a nice court,” added Spencer Murray.
Michael Arriola agreed. Compared to the courts in the City Park, he said, “it’s smoother and has no trees to drop branches or pine needles onto the court.”
Both teens pointed out that the drainage is much better as well.
Schubothe has many more plans for the court. He intends to add lighting for evening play and install netting so that the balls don’t fly over the fence into the street.
He also wants to purchase more gear, such as a volleyball net, dodgeballs and badminton sets. However, in order to buy this equipment, Schubothe added, the center needs more funds.
The outdoor court will be open whenever the Youth Center is open. During the summer, hours are daily, noon to 6 p.m., and until 10:30 p.m. on Saturdays.
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