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Charlotte Amalie
Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesPine Peace Courts Refurbished – With a Big Assist from the Community

Pine Peace Courts Refurbished – With a Big Assist from the Community

Youths shoot hoops on the newly refurbished Pine Peace basketball court.Although the local government funded the basic repairs to the Pine Peace basketball court on St. John, donations from residents and businesses added such amenities as bleachers and the scoreboard.

“As the government is forced to tighten its belt, it’s important to partner with businesses,” St. John Administrator Leona Smith said Thursday, as slews of government officials, residents and basketball-playing youths gathered to celebrate the grand opening.

Gov. John deJongh Jr. was the last to speak, noting that everyone had their eyes focused on one thing – the youth of St. John and the other islands.

“It’s my job to say thank you,” he said.

St. John resident Alice Krall spearheaded the fundraising. She said when she and others learned there wasn’t enough money in the government coffers to pay for the extras, they went to work getting people to come up with an additional $65,000.

Stanley Smith, acting commissioner of the Sports, Parks and Recreation Department, said the government had $250,000 to spend on the project.

“We had to raise it to prevent flooding,” he said, referring to the level of the court.

The old court was often awash when it rained.

Accolades went to Daisy Callwood, who lives directly adjacent to the court. For years, she supplied the youthful basketball players with water and restroom facilities during their games.

“It was ‘knock knock’ every couple of minutes,” she recalled.

In discussing other Sports, Parks and Recreation projects, Stanley Smith had kudos for St. John resident Charlie Palminteri for his efforts in sodding the Winston Wells Ballfield. Charlie and his mother, Dr. Laura Palminteri, raised money to pay for materials and got volunteers to do the work that turned a hard-packed dirt field into a grassy ball field.

While it was a feel good event, several people urged the St. John community to care for the facility. Stanley Smith said if anyone sees someone writing their name on the wall, they need to call the youth’s parents.

“This is your facility. You need to take care of it,” Public Works Commissioner Darryl Smalls said.

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