It’s time to hone your basketball skills and shoot some hoops at the newly opened Archibald Park basketball court in Kelston.
Whau Local Board officially opened the court in early November with a blessing and light refreshments for the community.
Located adjacent to the existing Archibald Park playground, the new court is equipped with two back-to-back half courts and high five seats for the community to enjoy the increasingly popular sport.
Whau Local Board chair Kay Thomas is delighted to see the completion of the court and proud for the board to be able to deliver it for the community.
“Everyone on the board is thrilled to see the much-anticipated basketball court ready ahead of the summer holiday season. We believe this facility will be much loved by the locals, as our young Kelstonians have already been using the court before the official opening.
“We knew there was a real gap in provision of a basketball court in the area and we have been pleased to deliver it, so our kids can play in their own neighbourhood.
“Personally, because of the time I spent teaching at Kelston Girls’ Colleague up until four years ago, Kelston is an area dear to my heart,” says Kay.
The existing playground at Archibald Park was opened in 2020.
Kay also thanks council staff and community groups for their help with the basketball court.
“I’d like to give a shout-out to our Parks and Community Facilities team for their hard work. The wet weather conditions early this year created a lot of challenges, leading to the redesign of the court to ensure better on-site drainage.
“Our community groups, including Kelston Community Hub, New Windsor Community Hub, Sport Waitākere, and our local board staff, also contributed significantly. Without their help, we wouldn't have been able to host such a lovely event,” Kay adds.
As part of Auckland Council’s and Whau Local Board’s commitment to Kelston, the existing Archibald Park playground was opened in 2020. At the opening event some members of the public approached Chair Kay Thomas about the need for a basketball court.
Whau Local Board then worked with council staff and board members were advised two half courts would be of more use than one full court. They asked the half courts to be designed and built with the potential to convert them in the future to full courts.
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