Sports courts coming to Esko

The Thomson Township board of supervisors joined Esko Community Education, the Esko school district, Esko Hoops Club and several other businesses and organizations contributing to the construction of an outdoor multisports court after it voted to donate $20,000 to the project at last Thursday's meeting.

Two years in the making, the township's donation brings the project - an all-purpose court with two side-by-side basketball courts, two pickleball courts and four four square courts estimated at $85,000 - closer to potential construction over the summer.

"We hope to have it constructed by mid-July and would love to have the grand opening during Esko Fun Days in early August," said Matt Berger, the Community Education youth basketball coordinator who spearheaded the project over the past three years.

After determining there was no conflict of interest for supervisors Tony Compo and Terry Hill, who are also school district employees, the board voted to allocate funds from its joint sports and recreation fund.

"So we're not looking at increasing the fund at all. It's just money that is sitting there and has been waiting for the project to come together, and it's finally come together and is happening this summer," Compo said.

The current asphalt surface - home to three basketball courts and recently improved by Sinnott Blacktop - will serve as the subsurface for the new "sportcourt" surface.

"Not only will the improvements greatly enhance basketball, but will open the door for other physical education and community activities," Berger said.

Donations to date include Esko Community Education ($15,000), Esko school district ($23,000), Esko Hoops Club ($12,900), Esko P.I.E. ($8,500), Esko Sports Alliance ($5,000), Sappi ($300) and Northwoods Credit Union ($250). Sinnott Blacktop is donating all materials and labor to fix the asphalt subsurface.

"We are fortunate and grateful that so many organizations have recognized the importance of this project and consolidated to donate funds for this much-needed community project," Berger said.

Meeting changes

The township board also set June 6, during the next board meeting, as the public hearing date for the vacation of Sandra Avenue. A road branching off of Evelyn Street which currently exists only on paper, Sandra Avenue - and the potential for the township to relinquish its interest in it - is part of a development plan for an apartment complex by Gregg Perich of GSP Construction.

In another scheduling move, the first July meeting for the board of supervisors will now be on July 11. Though the board meetings are typically held on the first and third Thursday of each month, the first July meeting would have landed on July 4.