NICK.BROOK@cluthaleader.co.nz
Milton movers are celebrating potential upgrades to Moore Park with a friendly basketball tournament this Sunday.
Local father, forestry worker and sports coach Mark Robinson is leading a project to beautify the popular park and playground and said the response from Clutha District Council (CDC) had been positive.
‘‘Physical activity like basketball has numerous benefits for health and wellbeing,’’ he said.
‘‘We are experiencing a period of challenging behaviour with some of our young people and while the current facilities are still usable, they are shabby and in need of repairs.’’
He said the growing popularity of basketball could be harnessed by local youth and community organisations if the cracked, gravelly and often submerged asphalt court was modernised with a colourful, cutting-edge surface and materials and hoop heights to include all ages.
Moore Park Basketball Fun Day will run from 11am-2pm on Sunday, supported by Project Bruce and Sport Clutha.
The tournament will feature five-a-side, three-a-side and one-on-one competitions with prizes and a community barbecue courtesy of Milton Lions Club.
‘‘I think there’s a bit of a longing for communities to be more active and social like they were in the old days,’’ Mr Robinson said.
‘‘It would be great to see a central location like Moore Park cater for children, young people and adults so whole families and networks were all down here enjoying it together.’’
