Philip Sparn | ClarksvilleNow.com
psparn@ClarksvilleNow.com
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Many members of the Clarksville community gathered to dedicate a new basketball court and supplies to the kids at Barkers Mill Elementary School Wednesday afternoon.
Before the new court was built, the kids at Barkers Mill Elementary School did not have a safe place to play basketball and had to play in the parking lot.
After a couple of mothers with the Barkers Mill Parent Teachers Organization sought out help to build a playground at the school, County Commissioner Tommy Vallejos got the ball rolling for the community to get involved and build the new basketball court for the kids at Barkers Mill Elementary School.
“Getting the kids out of the parking lot and giving the kids a safe place to play was really important,” said Karen Blick, Executive Officer of the Clarksville Home Builders Association.
Vallejos invited support from the Clarksville Home Builders Association and they worked with the CMCSS facilities team and other donors to propose, design and build the new basketball court.
“This was about coming together to help serve the kids in our community,” said Vallejos. “This was a true community effort that didn’t need any taxpayers; dollars because everything here was donated.”
The court was dedicated with members of the local home builders Association, materials donors, Commissioner Vallejos, students from Barkers Mill and former NBA standout Trenton Hassell.
“The kids or the future and it is important to give them a safe place to play,” said Dennis Ziolkowski, owner of Z Company.
Hassell also provided students with a big bag of brand new basketballs at the dedication.
“Hopefully, this will help give the kids something to look forward to and help direct them in the right direction,” said Hassell. “I think basketball brings kids together, gives them an outlet and keeps them out of trouble.”
A variety of community members donated to the new court including – Barkers Mill PTO, Clarksville Montgomery County Home Builders Association, David Smith Concrete, Harris Trucking, Irving Materials, Inc. (IMI), Orgain Ready Mix Concrete Co., Providence Builders, LLC, Screaming Eagle Ready Mix, Winn Materials Inc., and Z Company.
Photos by Philip Sparn | ClarksvilleNow.com