March Madness at the Rec Department

By John Drake

March Madness in the Rec Department usually means the adult basketball tournament (March 1-2), the youth basketball tournament (March 3-8), the youth cheerleading competition (March 2), Cal Ripken baseball registration (March 15), Centre College, Boyle County High School & Middle School softball in Millennium Park (beginning March 24), and the Millennium Park Easter Egg Hunt (March 23).

Our friends at KSD have hosted the Rec League Youth Tournament for the 4th/5th, 6th/7th, 8th/9th, and High School Divisions for over ten seasons.  It’s a great facility that provides a tournament atmosphere for our young basketball players.  Four games will be played each night beginning at 5:00pm from Monday, March 3 through Friday, March 7 with the five final games played on Saturday, March 8 beginning at 12:00pm.  The 4th/5th grade league will have two divisions while all other leagues will play a 6-team single elimination tournament.

On Sunday afternoon prior to the start of the Youth Basketball Tournament, the cheerleaders will be in the spotlight as they have their annual season-ending competition.  Both the K/1st/2nd grade and the 3rd/4th/5th grade cheerleaders will be participating in a cheer and pom routine competition.  It is one of the most enjoyable afternoons of fun, cheers, and competition that are hosted by the Parks and Recreation Department.

Just in time for Christmas….

By John Drake
Danville-Boyle County Parks & Recreation director

The City and County have for the last 10 years invested over six million dollars in the purchase of land and facility development in Millennium Park. Millennium Park has become the signature recreation facility in this community. Those that cried about taxpayer’s money being used for such a project have now seen the opportunities that Millennium Park provides for all demographics in Boyle County.

However, it now looks like the days of government funding for the continued development of the Park are quickly coming to an end. This fiscal year there were no new funds allocated for Millennium Park development from either governmental body. Yes, both are continuing to subsidize the operations of the Park, but the possibility of a master plan completion by the end of this decade is probably not a reality.

The Parks and Recreation Committee, the Parks and Recreation Board, and members of the Parks and Recreation Department are all looking for a few “Santas” in our community to assist in completing projects in the Park over the next 24 months.  This list isn’t long, but the benefits of each project will be a positive addition to Millennium Park and the citizens of Danville and Boyle County.

Millennium Park 2007 Christmas List:

• A hard surface basketball complex (a minimum of six goals and court size to host summer basketball tournaments and leagues).
• Completion of the Softball Complex lighting. Additional parking and pedestrian lighting is necessary to upgrade the facility used primarily for Girls Youth Fast-Pitch Softball.
• Additional landscaping to provide future generations the shade needed for all parks.
• Walking trail additions and renovations. This area is probably the most used facility in the Park for walkers, runners, bikers, blades, and boards.
• Large corporate shelter with access roads and parking near the facility at the north end of the Park.

So, for all you Santas (and maybe even a few helpers) this may be the project for you!  We believe this list is both realistic and do-able. Maybe with some community contributions we will be able to match private funds with grants and possible future local government assistance. We can get this Christmas list started in 2008, then next year we can talk water complexes and a multi-activity sports pavilion