Basketball court is in need of service

— We understand the reasoning by the Camden Advertising and Promotion Commission in denying a $32,742 request to update basketball courts at Carnes Park.

As one of the “no” votes in the 3-2 decision to deny Public Works Director Shamir Dorsey’s request put it: It’s a lot of money to spend on a basketball court.

On the other hand, we also understand that the city should not let the courts continue in an unsatisfactory condition. To let a community asset go downhill or become completely unusable - such as happened to our dismay with the public restrooms at Sandy Beach - is a disservice to the community and is unacceptable. We respectfully disagree with the commission’s Tim Wilson who suggested Dorsey might need to choose between keeping the swimming pool or basketball courts.

It would be one thing if there had never been basketball courts at Carnes Park and Dorsey was asking for money for something entirely new. But the basketball courts, which were displaced by the former mayor’s splash-pad project, have been a recreation attraction at the park for what seems forever. Our frequent travels by the park gave evidence that the courts were popular and well used.

It would be a shame now to just shrug our shoulders and say the amount of money is too much to spend on the courts.

The condition of the park has been noted at several city council meetings. “I’ve had plenty of complaints about the court and how bad it looks,” Dorsey said. “It looks horrible.”

We realize it is not the A&P’s role to find ways to fund such a project. Its role is to approve or disapprove requests for funds, which, in this case, the majority decided not to approve.

Our suggestion is that a local service club, or a combination of them all, or community-active organization take this on as a project so that we can be proud of all the park, not just part of it.

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