A DRIVE to build new outdoor basketball courts in Albury has gained momentum.
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The city’s council on Monday night resolved to seek costs and funding sources for courts, having been told a new two-court complex would require $200,000.
The figure was contained in a report collated by the council’s community and recreation director James Jenkins who was responding to a petition calling for more outdoor courts in Albury.
The account noted there was just one full-sized outdoor court in the city at Haydon Park, West Albury, with six others mostly quarter-sized.
The court at Haydon Park has had low usage with that linked to its poor condition which has left it in need of repair.
Mr Jenkins noted there was scope to open up school basketball courts with the principal of Albury High School receptive to making his site available for community usage.
Councillor Darren Cameron, who in the recent city election campaign backed a pro-outdoor court petition organised by basketball coach Chris Maginnity, initiated Monday night’s motion which seeks another report.
He said it was important councillors listened to the community and compared the situation to that of improvements to the Urana Road Oval.
“If it hadn’t been for the involvement of councillors in that process and the community approaching councillors directly, being the catalyst for that process, (then) those things we’d still be waiting for them right now,” Cr Cameron said.
“They wouldn’t be sitting out there constructed.”
Deputy mayor Amanda Cohn said such a plan was part of her attraction to local government.
“As a medical practitioner getting involved in politics I wanted to help to create a town and a community and a society where it is easy to be healthy and those choices are readily available to the community,” Cr Cohn said.
But colleague Graham Docksey, while supporting the cause, issued a caution.
“I read in the report that basketball prevents crime,” Cr Docksey said.
“That ain’t true people, it does not prevent crime.
“It may assist, (but) it does not prevent crime.
“There are many, many other measures that prevent crime.”
Mr Maginnity and other members of the basketball community, including former councillor Ross Jackson, were in the gallery to watch the debate.