By Greg Ellison

(Aug. 26, 2021) The Berlin Town Council accepted the donation of basketball equipment from the nonprofit We Heart Berlin and approved an unveiling ceremony for a pending paint job at basketball courts in William Henry Park on Monday.

We Heart Berlin members Adrian Bowen Sr. and Tony Weeg offered a donation of half a dozen backboards, rims and pole pads for basketball courts at William Henry Park.

Weeg said since the nonprofit last appeared before the council in late July to approve a court painting project, further funding has been found for additional work.

“We’re back here again because … we raised another $17,000,” he said.

Between the custom color scheme planned and equipment upgrades, Weeg said the courts would be greatly enhanced.

“It will look like an entirely new court,” he said.

Mayor Zach Tyndall agreed installing new rims and backboards would improve playing conditions.

“You do get a lot of vibration from the rims and backboards that are there now,” he said.

Weeg said acquiring the equipment would take about a month.

Council member Dean Burrell asked if the replacement gear measures up to industry standards.

Weeg said the court painting artist, Shelton Hawkins, recommended the equipment manufacturers.

“I believe it exceeds all standards,” he said.

Weeg said Hawkins has seen similar equipment installed at other courts.

“It’s a clear acrylic backboard that has holes punched in it so that actually disperses some of the energy coming from the ball,” he said. “It gives it a truer bounce.”

Additionally, Weeg said the introduction of break-away rims should prevent the backboard from shattering when players dunk the ball.

“It’s also heavy acrylic, so it’s made for this,” he said.

Town Administrator Jeff Fleetwood and Public Works Superintendent Jimmy Charles recently inspected the site and said the work appeared to be “a fairly simple retrofit.”

The council also approved a second request from We Heart Berlin to hold an unveiling ceremony on Sept. 26 for the basketball court painting project approved last month.

Weeg said the all-day affair would kick off at noon and include an unofficial tournament.

“We’re putting together a small one versus one, three versus thee and later on in the evening two five-man teams going against each other,” he said. “Call it a tournament if you will … it’s the first year.”

Weeg extended an invitation for the mayor and council to christen the site.

“We’re hoping the mayor and council attend the opening at noon and take some of the first shots,” he said.

Tyndall joked that the council should begin practicing.

“Our next meeting will be held there, and it will last all night,” he said.

Although this is just one project, the event could spawn bigger plans.

“I would love to see this turn into a Flower Street festival,” Weeg said.

The inclusion of food and vendors would also be considered in the future, Weeg said.

Weeg said special approval from the council is required because the event will take place in less than 60 days.

Bowen said the court festivities would wind down around sunset with an “OG” game slated at 7:30 p.m.

“I wanted to get together some older gentleman who used to play out there when I was a kid,” he said.

In the event of inclement weather, a rain date has been set for Oct. 2.