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Thunder Dedicates New Courts in Tulsa

Oklahoma City, Wednesday, June 29, 2016 – The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Thunder Cares Foundation dedicated two new outdoor basketball courts on Wednesday at B.C. Franklin Park, as part of the unveiling of other extensive renovations to the park by the City of Tulsa. Representatives from the Thunder staff and the City of Tulsa took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony that included 30 children from the neighborhood. 

The new Thunder blue courts offer kids in the neighborhood a place to keep fit and fuel their love of basketball. The newly redone park also includes a playground, adult fitness stations, a walking trail and a variety of other amenities.

“We are thrilled to be part of bringing two new basketball courts to this community and adding to the overall experience that this new park will offer the community,” said Christine Berney, vice president of Community Relations for the Thunder. “We hope that, every time the kids here pick up a basketball and step onto the court, they’ll know that the Thunder cares about them, that we want them to make healthy choices and have a place to have fun.”

“I would like to thank the Oklahoma City Thunder, Thunder Cares Foundation and the other park donors for their support of the City of Tulsa and, most importantly, our youth,” Tulsa Mayor Dewey F. Bartlett Jr. said. “The completion of B.C. Franklin Park speaks volumes to the teamwork and dedication of the community, City of Tulsa Parks staff and our donors. We promised the community that, with their help, we would plan and rebuild an iconic park as a tribute to one of the city’s most notable citizens, B.C. Franklin. As a city, we are very proud to have achieved this goal, and I know the community will enjoy B.C. Franklin Park for many years to come.”

Wednesday’s dedication featured Thunder-themed activities for the neighborhood, including appearances from Thunder entertainment teams the Thunder Girls, Thunder Drummers and Storm Chasers. The OG&E ThunderBolt, the team’s traveling interactive experience, set up to allow fans to engage more with the team through measure-ups, a photo booth, trivia and more.

This is the second Thunder Cares Foundation court built on a new site. Previous court projects include three courts rebuilt outside Moore schools damaged or destroyed in the May 2013 tornado, a court built at the Boys and Girls Club in Norman, as well as court refurbishments at the Police Athletic League in south Oklahoma City, Pitts Park and Schilling Park in OKC, the indoor court at the City Rescue Mission and community courts in Bethel Acres and El Reno that had suffered damage during the May 2013 storms.

ABOUT THE THUNDER CARES FOUNDATION: The Thunder Cares Foundation serves as the charitable arm of the Oklahoma City Thunder, raising and distributing funds to support the team’s community outreach programs. The Foundation has funded the refurbishment or building of 12 basketball courts throughout Oklahoma, including three courts outside Moore schools damaged or destroyed in the May 2013 tornado, as well as learning and activity rooms at the Oklahoma City Boys and Girls Club, the City Rescue Mission, SeeWorth Academy and Positive Tomorrows.

PHOTO ATTACHED. Credit: Photo provided by OKC Thunder Photos. Suggested caption: Representatives from the Oklahoma City Thunder, the City of Tulsa and the Tulsa community join together to dedicate the newly renovated B.C. Franklin Park. The Thunder Cares Foundation partnered with the city to add two Thunder blue basketball courts to the park project, which was dedicated on Wednesday afternoon.

 

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