QUILCENE — Quilcene’s basketball and tennis courts at the Quilcene Community Center recently got a fresh layer of asphalt and a new paint job, thanks to an effort led by Clayton White.
“Every day since it’s been painted all these kids are coming down playing basketball,” he said. “It was never like this.”
Before, depressions and cracks in the court built in the 1950s sent balls flying in odd directions, making it difficult to play.
Aside from those at the high school, the community basketball and tennis courts are the only ones in town.
The fundraising effort took about two years, but with the help from people throughout the community the project was able to be finished a couple of weeks ago.
“It made me feel good that there were so many people that expressed interest in getting the tennis courts refurbished and rejuvenated,” White said.
White took it upon himself to raise the money because the court’s owner, Jefferson County, didn’t have the $25,000 needed for the project.
The effort started with White setting up a stand at the Quilcene post office to collect funds from local residents.
He set up a tax-exempt bank account at the Quilcene branch of U.S. Bank for donations, then set up a nonprofit agency.
After some time of collecting the money, the Parks family of Brinnon offered a $12,000 match for donations, which funded a large portion of the project.
“They were really instrumental for a large portion of the money,” White said.
Jefferson County Healthcare raised about $15,000 to get the courts painted with Quilcene School District’s colors. The district’s mascot, the Rangers, will be added to center court, he said.
There are plans to add pickle ball lines to the tennis courts and add new tennis nets, he said.
To see kids regularly using the courts has left White ecstatic, he said.
“I’m just tickled pink.”
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 5550, or at jmajor@peninsuladailynews.com.
