The Hanover Youth Basketball League has presented an ambitious proposal to the Town to consider once outdoor recreation returns following COVID-19 — an outdoor basketball complex.
The league would like to construct an outdoor basketball court in the parking lot to the east of Launch Pad.
League President Rick Barrie says it would be 54 feet wide by 100 feet long consisting of 6 nets, fencing and lighting,
The surface of the court would be FIBA rated for competition levels 2 and 3.
The surface would be compromised of 12 inch square tiles designed to provide good entry level performance for outdoor sports.
Barrie says it would be unique to the region.
The estimated cost is 120 thousand dollars, and the League is asking Hanover for an investment of 10 thousand dollars.
Barrie says they hope to raise the rest through Federal and Provincial grants as well as sponsorship dollars.
The Hanover Youth Basketball League would be responsible for maintaining the court.
Hanover leases the Launch Pad building and the property where the proposed court would be located.
The question was raised at a March council meeting about investing so much money on non municipal land.
Barrie says after working with Town staff there was no other available municipal land for such a project, noting he has worked out a tentative five year lease with the land owner with the option to renew for another five years.
While it would not be ideal, as there would be costs involved, the basketball court could be moved if needed.
Mayor Sue Paterson says Town staff will investigate the proposal further and bring back a report to Council with a recommendation to the request.
Currently there are 120 members of the Hanover Youth Basketball League.
Barrie anticipates, conservatively that they could have over 300 users in the first year with more growth the following year.
He adds as non-profit organization, they and will offer an affordable household fee to users to ensure accessibility for families.