The Algood Parks and Recreation Department recently finished several improvements to the city’s community center.
Algood Parks and Rec Director Roy Phipps said gutters have been replaced. Phipps also said improvements to the basketball court were included. Phipps said the city replaced the backboards, baskets, and, most notably, added striping to the court.
“You can mark an out-of-bounds and a half-court and three three-point lines, and foul lines, and stuff that was never there before,” Phipps said. “People used it all the time, but that’s been a pretty good addition. We’ve had a lot of feedback from that. We have talked to people who have really appreciated that.”
Phipps said the community center houses the library and the senior center. Phipps said improving the community center is one way the city is providing adequate facilities to the community.
“It’s one of the best resources and assets that the city has,” Phipps said. “This place is used every day by a lot of people. It’s very important for people both on the library and the senior center side. So we wanted to take care of them.”
Phipps said the improvements used portions of an estimated $50,000 budget the city has for recreation facility improvements. New diaper changing stations have also been installed in the restrooms
Phipps said there are a few improvements that the city needs, but they will have to wait.
“I generally take about that roughly $50,000 line item and try to scatter that amongst all of the properties,” Phipps said. “You know, we’ve got our tennis courts, we’ve got the community center, the football field, concessions, the stage, the baseball concessions. You know, it’s just a lot that needs to be done, and we are just trying to do it as fiscally responsible as we can.”
Phipps said one major need for the city is a new press box for the city’s baseball field. Phipps said the city demolished the old press box because it was in bad condition and was deemed unsafe. Phipps said the city has budgeted some additional funds and is considering a new press box later this year.