SPOKANE, Wash.– Out with the old and in with the new!
Construction on the renovation of two new pickleball courts and two new basketball courts began today at Underhill Park in East Central.
“The existing courts are over 50 years old. So, the surfaces are pretty deteriorated. The hoops have seen their time,” said Nick Hamad, Park Planning and Development Manager with Spokane Parks and Recreation.
The aging courts will be replaced by two brand new full-sized basketball courts and two new pickleball courts.
“Anytime we provide a new tennis court or sport court complex, we provide a locker with a keypad code the neighbors can can access to provide, paddles, balls, etc., to be able to play. So we really want to reduce that barrier to play,” said Hamad.
Construction is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Spokane Parks and Recreation will also be adding sidewalks, lighting, and fencing to make the park more safe.
“I love it. It could use some renovations, especially the basketball courts,” said Lauri Hauser, a grandmother who takes her granddaughter to Underhill Park. “It could use a parking lot too.”
Renovations do not include a new parking lot, but there is street parking and a parking lot on the south end of the park.
Spokane Parks and Rec says the project costs around $628,000 and nearly two thirds of the cost is funded by community partners.
The courts will be temporary closed during construction. The closest park courts people can are at Grant Park in Spokane’s Perry District.
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