The newly renovated Centralia Middle School outdoor basketball court was officially dedicated at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday morning.
According to a news release from the Centralia Athletics Activities & Facilities Foundation (CAAFF), Centralia Rotary was instrumental in the creation of the outdoor court in 1984 and 1985 as a way to bring the community together.
In 2021, Centralia Rotary approached CAAFF about partnering to renovate the facility. CAAFF agreed, and this year the remodel was completed.
A total of $50,000 was spent on brand new asphalt, fencing, two basketball hoops, three custom made signs and four courtside benches, according to CAAFF.
Centralia School Board member Amanda McDougall, Jeff Thummel, of CAAFF, and Kahle Jennings, of Centralia Rotary, were scheduled to take part in the dedication ceremony.
In the news release, CAAFF shared appreciation to the Centralia School District for permission to complete the project, and Centralia Rotary for coming up with the idea and donating $10,000 to the project.
“Others recognized by the CAAFF for their involvement in making the remodel a reality were Granite Construction and Jason Styger for doing the asphalt and court lining, West Coast Fence Pros and Trevor Harmon for installing the fencing, Awards West Printwares for creating new signage, and Hitches and Things and Trevor Smith for making the custom benches,” according to the release.
CAAFF’s 82 individual and 12 business members were vital in their financial support of this and other projects benefiting Centralia athletes and the community, according to the release.
“This is a true community partnership that made this project possible and we are honored to be able to dedicate this basketball court to the students of the Centralia School District and the citizens of Centralia as a whole,” Jeff Thummel, president of CAAFF, stated in the release.
