Pick-up basketball players, rejoice. Your court will get an upgrade soon. And Asheville’s inline hockey players will enjoy facility upgrades too.
At its May 10 meeting, City Council approved of $350,000 to renovate the Sports Court and Park Plaza in Carrier Park.
It marks the second improvement Council will have approved for the park in recent weeks.
At its April 26 meeting, City Council approved a budget amendment to provide funds to renovate the multi-use building that formerly served as a concession stand. Staff will bring this building into ADA compliance and provide improved restrooms as well as event registration space, another use for the building.
Some of those same issues factor into the Sport Courts and Park Plaza improvements, said Pete Wall, City Landscape Architect serving as project manager.
The hockey rink surface is slated for a rebuild, while the adjacent 6-goal basketball court would be resurfaced. In addition a sidewalk and plaza would be installed between the two facilities. “It’s going to be more of a complex, with a picnic plaza that allows access to the inline rink and basketball court,” said Wall.
Both facilities were installed shortly after the City acquired Carrier Park in the mid-1990s. So they’re about 20 years old.
And Asheville Hockey League use of the inline rink is on the rise. The youth league has grown from 25 kids in 2008 to over 100 kids in 2016. The adult league has grown from 70 players in 2010 to 120 players in 2016. Local breweries sponsor the adult leagues, helping to defray costs.
As for a timeline on this project, look for the work to be conducted June through August.
Related coverage: Council approves funds for building update in historic Carrier Park
