Kids cock-a-hoop over new courts

It has taken 18 months for Enderley Park Community Centre to get outdoor courts but no time at all for the kids to play on them.

The $80,000 multipurpose courts were officially opened on Friday but the 80 to 100 kids who flock to the centre each day have been riding their skateboards on them and bouncing balls around since the day the asphalt was laid.

The basketball hoops went up this week and Community Constable Mason Lepou said it was great to be able to offer kids a range of activities to keep them off the streets.

"When I first came to Enderley we tried our best to have community engagement around the identified problem areas and what we could do about helping that.

"One of the solutions that came up was things for kids to do and more sporting resources."

The courts cater for a range of sports including badminton, netball, volleyball and basketball – the hoop can even be adjusted for younger children.

Mr Lepou said the centre – with indoor and outdoor courts, community gym, floodlit grass fields and a computer club – was a hive of activity for the community and after-school and youth groups.

Mr Lepou returns to the Hamilton Central Police Station this week but the new courts are a testament to the mark the ex-Piston has made on the centre.

The centre eventually plans to host weekly sporting games on the courts, as well as tournaments and events.

Funding for the courts was provided by Hamilton City Council, Transpower, the Lion Foundation, Trust Waikato, the Pass It On Foundation, NZ Police, Housing New Zealand Corporation and First Credit Union.

- © Fairfax NZ News