The Village of Flower Hill held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday for a new basketball court built in the village’s park.
Officials said the basketball court, located along the south side of Stonytown Road, is the only one available for public use aside from those located at schools in the area.
“This will be a great recreational opportunity for all residents of the Port Washington peninsula,” Flower Hill Mayor Elaine Phillips said.
The basketball court was constructed by James McGowan and Sons Masonry Inc., which won the rights to the project after submitting a low bid of $145,000.
The village had initially budgeted $100,000 for the project.
Officials said a $50,000 Dormitory Authority Grant from state Sen. Jack Martins’ (R-Mineola) office aided in covering the unanticipated expense of the project.
Phillips said the village plans to put in landscaping around the court, estimating an additional $25,000-$30,000 would be allocated for the project.
Martins joined Phillips, trustees Karen Reichenbach and Gary Lewandowski, village arborist Ann Frankel, highway superintendent Scott Hislop and engineer Charlie Vachris in cutting the ribbon to christen the new court.
“Flower Hill Park is a gem for residents in the village and the entire Port Washington Peninsula; we’ve made an investment to enhance it even further,” Martins said in a statement. “This new basketball court offers another service for residents visiting the park to enjoy. I am pleased to partner with Mayor Phillips and the Village of Flower Hill on this community improvement project.”
Vachris, a 50-year Flower Hill resident and engineer, assisted McGowan and Sons in formulating the engineering plans for the basketball court.
Officials on Wednesday dedicated the basketball court in his honor.
“I’m very honored. I’m just glad it wasn’t done as a memorial,” Vachris said. “When I found out they were going to do it, I wanted to make sure they were going to do it right.”
