Editorial

Latest addition brings long-lasting benefit

Thursday, May 24, 2007

It has happened again. Through planning, persistence and generous contributions of time and money, the people of McCook have created a recreational facility which will be of long-lasting benefit to the community.

The latest addition to the town's sports facilities is the McCook Public Schools' colorful, well-lighted tennis court development. The modern, carefully engineered courts, located just north of the YMCA parking lot, opened for play Tuesday evening, and -- within hours -- there was already a buzz of activity.

A group of tennis and racquet ball enthusiasts -- Tor Olson, Tim Burrows, Brian Rokusek and Bryant Brooks -- joined for doubles' competition, and a couple of ladies, Holly Olson and Sharon Burrows, were also there to swat the ball around. The Rev. Bruce Lester was on hand with his daughters, and Natalie Brooks, who is home from college, tried out the new courts along with members and parents from the McCook High School tennis team."

"It's a wonderful facility," said Dr. Burrows. "It looks nice and it plays well. We were joking that the new courts remove the excuses. There are no cracks or height differences to blame mistakes on as there were on the old courts."

For Olson, what stood out were the colors, which are very vivid, and the lighting, which is even and bright. "The lighting is phenomenal," Tor said. "You can clearly see and track the ball."

If you haven't seen the courts yet, you need to stop by and check them out. They're impressive. The six courts feature solid blue surfaces with white boundary markings and green sidelines. Adding to the modern look are the lights, which are mounted on sleek, low profile poles and projected by luminaire bulbs with metal halide lamps.

All together -- when out-of-pocket costs and contributions are combined -- the project cost in excess of $400,000. Of this, $300,000 came from the school system, with the remaining $100,000-plus coming from a $77,000 grant from the United States Tennis Association, as well as gifts of time and money from RDG Geosciences & Engineering, Inc.; Nebraska Public Power District, Southwest Implement, Inc., the Bison Booster Club, the Ed Thomas YMCA and anonymous donors.

Post tension cable is embedded in each of six courts, giving them the flexibility to last a long, long time. "The previous courts had a projected lifetime of 20 years, which is just about how long they lasted," said Greg Larson, president of the McCook Board of Education. With the improved technology, the school's business manager, Rick Haney, said the new courts have a projected life of 50 years.

That adds up to a long-term investment in the community's future, as the $400,000 cost amounts to $800 a year when spread over 50 years.

In recent years, community boosters have stepped forward to assist the school and the city in developing the high school track bleachers and announcers' booth; the football field restrooms and locker rooms; the high school gymnasium locker rooms; and the Kelley Creek disc golf course.

The tennis courts continue the tradition of sporting facility improvements. Once again, sports enthusiasts have shown that pride, persistence, and volunteer participation can produce positive results.

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