Media Release

5:25 p.m.

 

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - The Alachua County Board of County Commissioners has approved $117,300 to fund a new summer youth basketball program called Heatwave. The program will run from July 7 to August 23, and an estimated 500 youth can participate in age groups 13-16 and 17-20 at no charge.

 

The program will be organized into teams at a variety of basketball courts across the county. Practices will be held on Monday through Friday between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the locations listed below. Game days are Monday and Thursday from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. at locations listed below. Various social activities will be built in to the daily practices.

 

Participants must provide their own games shorts and basketball shoes. Team t-shirts will be provided.

 

Residents interested in coaching, please contact Ed Lavagnino at 352-441-0760 or eal2323@yahoo.com.

Westside Park - 1001 N.W. 34th St

Kanapaha Veteran's Park  -7400 S.W. 41st Pl

Forest Park - 4501 S.W. 20th Ave

Tiger Bay Court - 2415 S.E. 4th Ln

Eden Park at Ironwood - 1330 N.E. 39th Ave

Northeast Community Center - 1701 N.E. 8th Ave

Woodlawn Park - 1900 S.E. 4th St

 

University of Florida - Florida Gym - 200 Stadium Rd

MLK Jr. Multipurpose Center - 1028 N.E. 14th St

Kanapaha Middle (TBD) - 5005 S.W. 75th St

Lincoln Middle (TBD) - 1001 S.E. 12th St

 

Joint Sponsors are Alachua County Board of County Commissioners, City of Gainesville Department of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs, Gainesville Housing Authority, Reichert House, Alachua County Sheriff's Office, Gainesville Police Department, Lincoln Estates Neighborhood Association, Jennings Development Group, Black on Black Crime Task Force, Operation Respect Yourself, Sunshine Broadcasting, Gainesville Guardian, African American Accountability Alliance, Corner Drug Store, and University of Florida Athletic Association.

 

 

For more information or to sign up, please call the MLK Center at 352-334-5053.

 

(Photo by Jimmy McDonald)

 

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