The Lavallette basketball courts, including an aging one remaining near to the south. / Designs from “Project Backboard” basketball courts. (Photo: Project Backboard)
Lavallette officials are debating whether to enter into an agreement with a nonprofit entity that would revitalize its oldest basketball court near the southernmost portion of the bayfront, however questions remain on the details of the proposal and the new surfacing that would be required.
The proposal originated from a resident who said Project Backboard, a nonprofit group that renovates public courts to promote the sport of basketball, would be willing to bring one of their projects to Lavallette. Meanwhile, the borough has secured permission from Ocean County to use excess asphalt from the West Point Island repaving project to provide a fresh surface for the courts. Layers of wood and other structural materials would have to be removed first.
While the project seemed to be all-positive on the surface, officials asked Borough Attorney William R. Burns to review the matter, as legal complications have resulted in potential penalties or liabilities for nonprofit-driven projects in town and elsewhere. New Jersey has strict bidding and prevailing wage laws governing projects at public facilities, and even inadvertent violations can lead to litigation.
“‘For-free’ never really happens,” said Councilwoman Joanne Filippone. “There’s a cost to the borough – and I don’t object to paying them if it makes sense – but we need to know what those costs are and if funding this type of project is worth it.”
Some also took issue with one of the signature requirements in Project Backboard developments – murals and street art that accompany the courts. Past examples of the organization’s website generally include wide swaths of neon colors and urban graffiti-style designs, which would seem to be out of character for Lavallette, Filippone said.
Designs from “Project Backboard” basketball courts. (Photo: Project Backboard)
Designs from “Project Backboard” basketball courts. (Photo: Project Backboard)
Designs from “Project Backboard” basketball courts. (Photo: Project Backboard)
“The samples they showed are these psychedelic colors,” said Filippone. “It reminds me of some of the ‘allowable graffiti’ in some cities allow where they graffiti artists to come in and do a mural. That’s just not Lavallette.”
Filippone suggested the borough propose a coastal or ocean theme with the borough’s logo in the center. But beyond aesthetics, there were additional concerns about making a hasty decision to install a new court. The borough would need to contract for landscaping, new benches, and legally-compliant coatings on the surface of the courts, for instance.
“I’m only one person, but my concern is that they’re going to tear down the current baskets, but there are other repairs that have to be taken care of,” she said. “You’re looking at a high water table, and if they’re not done to a specific specification it could crack. At the pickleball courts, a special sub-surface had to be used.”
The borough was able to postpone the resurfacing portion of the project until the county brings in a second load of asphalt that could be utilized, but the decision to move forward will be based heavily on Burns’ legal analysis and a final version of what, exactly, will be built to replace the current court.
“I just want to make sure we don’t move forward with anything until we have all of the answers,” Filippone said.
The matter will likely come back before the council at its May 4 meeting.
Seaside Heights & Seaside Park
Seaside Heights Bursts Onto Arts Scene With ‘Gallery 619’ In the Heart of Town
Boating & Fishing
Seastreak Ferry Service to Point Pleasant Beach Nixed After Council Vote
Shore Environment
Waves Wallop Ortley Beach, Ocean Roars As ‘Erin’ Remains Offshore
