Phoenix Suns & APS unveil new Yuma Basketball Court
In a brand new “Making a Difference,” a new basketball court has made it’s way into our community and News 11’s Madison Kimbro got to check it out earlier today during the ribbon cutting ceremony.
This is part of a Phoenix Suns and APS partnership and the Phoenix Suns are on a mission to renovate 50 courts throughout this year for the 2017-2018 season. APS comes into play there because we are all over the state and we’re in rural areas like Yuma. This is a huge deal for the community. If you see this whole neighborhood is going through a revitalization and this is just a big part of it,” said Community Affairs Manager, Anna Chaulk.
The Phoenix Suns and Arizona Public Service Company partnered up to help build a new basketball court at the Joe Henry Optimist Center. It’s part of a community initiative called The Rebound Project, which aims to impact youth in a positive way by renovating basketball courts across the state to give them a safe and welcoming place to play.
This court is one of fifty refurbished courts throughout Arizona which commemorates the Phoenix Suns’ 50th season. The Phoenix Suns were awarded a National Basketball Association franchise on January 22, 1968, and they celebrated their golden anniversary during the 2017 to 2018 season. In September, Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver and Phoenix Suns Charities awarded a $1 million dollar grant to do basketball renovations throughout Arizona.
The court will be revealed this Wednesday, with a dedication ceremony at 2:30 p.m. Phoenix Suns President and Chief Executive Officer Jason Rowley will be there, as well as APS President and Chief Executive Officer Don Brandt. Also in attendance will be the Phoenix Suns Gorilla, Suns Community Ambassador Steven Hunter, and Yuma Mayor Douglas Nicholls. Hosting the event will be Suns Broadcaster Kevin Ray. The Phoenix Suns and APS will be giving 100 students from Harvest Prep Academy a co-branded t-shirt. The Joe Henry Optimist Center is the recreation facility for students at the school. The Gorilla and Steve Hunter will facilitate a basketball clinic for the kids in honor of the new court afterwards.
