HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – In response to a local teenager’s public request, the City of Hopkinsville installed a new basketball goal and painted a court at DeBow Recreational Complex, which is now available for public use.
“For the city, this was about more than installing a basketball goal,” said Mayor Knight. “When a young person takes the initiative to come before council, identify a need in his community, and respectfully ask local leaders to consider it, we want him to know his voice matters.”
Tre Sivils attended the July 7 Hopkinsville City Council meeting and spoke during public comments about this issue. He told councilmembers that he and his friends enjoy visiting DeBow since it is nearby, but if they want to play basketball they have to go all the way to West Side Park.
“Council members were moved by his request and wanted to find a way to make it happen,” City Public Information Director Amanda Brunt told Christian County Now. “Parks and Recreation took the lead on the project, working with Public Works to install the basketball goal and contracting the court painting so the area would be ready for use.”
This small project at the basketball court was done in the meantime utilizing funds from the parks and recreation general fund. Public Works Director Mike Perry confirmed that the court is located at the parking lot of the Hopkinsville Skate Park at the rear of the recreational complex.
Hopkinsville nonprofit Men 2 Be shared about success of Sivils speaking to city officials and encouraged other youth to advocate for change in their community.
The topic of the condition of DeBow has been brought up in more ways than one this summer, with community members sharing concerns about dilapidating conditions at the playground structure. In July, Hopkinsville Mayor Knight shared that they are evaluating the potential cost of repairs.
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