Hornets Believe: Refurbished Court Dedicated in Lafayette
By: Calder Hynes, Hornets.com
September 18, 2010
A regulation basketball court is only 94 feet long and 50 feet wide. The court at Thomas Park in Lafayette, LA is not even that large. However, the positive impact that such a relatively small space can have on the greater community was realized this weekend as the New Orleans Hornets and the La. Legislative Charity Fund teamed to refurbish Thomas Park’s outdoor basketball facility.
The refurbishment is one of several such projects that the Hornets have been involved in around the state, with this particular site being chosen by State Representative Joel C. Robideaux, whose district includes Lafayette. Robideaux got the distinction of choosing the site after he was randomly selected from the many House of Representative and Senate members who partook in the Louisiana Legislature’s Annual HoopLA charity basketball game earlier this summer.
Proceeds raised from the annual game and a Hornets’ contribution provided the funds for the make-over, with the court painted to resemble the Hornets own home floor at the New Orleans Arena.
Robideaux took great care in the selection of a location, knowing he wanted to choose a public park that was open to the community and an outdoor court that was in need of repair. Thomas Park was eventually selected after he viewed the high utilization of the court paired with the fact that the facility was opened in 1969.
“This court does many great things for the community,” Robideaux said. “It attracts people to the area, and when folks come out, they will see what an asset they have. The Hornets have come to Lafayette and done a great job.”
He added that he thinks that spaces like these are essential in building a feeling of togetherness and sense of pride within a community.
The court was christened by Tyler Laday, a local boy who regularly plays at the park, by making the inaugural shot on the new baskets – a three pointer no less. A ribbon cutting ceremony featuring Robideaux, State Representative John Schroder, Hugo and the Honeybees, and members of the Hornets staff followed, and the day wrapped up with a basketball clinic for all those in attendance.
Speaking on the events of the day, Schroeder opinioned, “It’s a great partnership between the Hornets and the Legislature. You can see by the amount of kids who came out for the clinic that it’s a good thing. I look forward to keeping this going.”
Laday and his friends are the ones who should benefit most from the project, and the excitement was evident in their faces prior to having the chance to use their new home court for the first time.
Laday’s companions Brian Harris and Kendall Comeauh chimed in, “The court looks better than it did before. I think more people will come because they fixed the nets and goals.”
The boys said that they frequent the park, along with their parents, siblings, relatives and friends. Now their only worry is being able to have as much time on the court as they would like with the increased demand and popularity.
If the only problem is having too many people who want to use the facility, that’s a good one to have for Lafayette and the communities surrounding Thomas Park, and the encouraging response serves as a sign that such community investment projects are achieving their goals. It looks like the effects a basketball court can have on a community are felt far beyond the baselines and sidelines.
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