Residents in Pioneer are urging council to stick to promises made regarding their basketball court as plans to redevelop their park gather steam.
Every afternoon, dozens of teenagers and children flock to the Dave Taylor Park court to play basketball, ride scooters and hang out.
Concerns were then raised by members of the Pioneer community regarding what would happen to their basketball court and following community consultation an updated plan was released earlier this year.
The updated plan included a brand new, full-size basketball court on Heath Crescent, and Griffith City Council says they will look to make sure the children in the area always have a court to play at.
![NEW PLAN: Griffith City Council released an updated plan with a full-sized basketball court adjacent to Heath Crescent earlier this year. PHOTO: Kat Vella. NEW PLAN: Griffith City Council released an updated plan with a full-sized basketball court adjacent to Heath Crescent earlier this year. PHOTO: Kat Vella.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/kKskU4JMnwJqCa7biW7GNM/def45823-64ac-46c5-a889-011d51353744.jpg/r0_0_1200_675_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
NEW PLAN: Griffith City Council released an updated plan with a full-sized basketball court adjacent to Heath Crescent earlier this year. PHOTO: Kat Vella.
“Council will endeavour to retain the existing basket ball court in place until the new basketball court is constructed,” general manager Brett Stonestreet said.
Joshua Ratuverebukui, 17, plays basketball on the court with his friends every day – from the moment school ends, until the sun goes down.
Speaking to The Area News, he and his friends admitted they “don’t know” what they would do without the court, even if it was only gone for a brief time.
“The nearest other court is West End Stadium, which is a 40 minute walk away so I don’t think we really want to go there,” Joshua said.
“I guess we’ll probably stay at home. Some people will probably get into trouble. This place keeps everyone away from trouble.”
Joshua said without the court, you probably wouldn’t see anyone at the park, and it was important that there always be a basketball court in Dave Taylor Park.
Leonie Kawelmacher, co-ordinator at the Alma Bamblett Community Centre, said keeping the court was vital to keeping the teenagers in Pioneer safe and out of trouble.
“Every single night there are dozens of them down there, playing basketball and just hanging out at the park,” Ms Kawelmacher said.
“What would the kids do if that gets taken away? They’re probably going to get bored and get into trouble.
“I know I might sound like a broken record but we’ve had so many broken promises.”