Update – 9/6/24: The City of Reading announced Friday delays in the completion of the resurfacing work. The city is urging residents to avoid using the courts while the project is underway, as recent incidents of unauthorized use have caused damage, further prolonging the process. As a result, the city says the courts will not be ready for use by this weekend as originally planned.
Original post: Renovations at Baer Park’s basketball court are nearly complete after the facility was vandalized earlier this summer. The resurfacing project, which began earlier this week, aims to restore the court after it was severely damaged by a vehicle in July. The incident garnered widespread attention on social media, prompting a community outcry and the involvement of the Reading Police Department.
The court, which had originally been renovated in June 2023 at a cost of $180,000, saw major upgrades thanks to a partnership between the City of Reading and the Lonnie Walker IV Foundation. This renovation included new court flooring, backboards, seating, and more. Unfortunately, the court sustained significant damage only a year after this investment.
The ongoing resurfacing project is expected to wrap up by the end of the week, after the addition of court markings and signage. Officials are urging the public to avoid the area until work is complete, which is anticipated to be late Friday, September 10, 2024.
The repairs include $32,450 worth of surface restoration and the installation of new fencing, which cost $12,033, to better protect the court from future incidents. The cost of these repairs is being covered by the City of Reading.
In response to the vandalism, the city has also installed a police camera overlooking the court in an effort to deter any further damage. The Reading Police Department continues to investigate the initial incident, and anyone with information is urged to contact them at 610-655-6116 or through Crime Alert Berks at 877-373-9913.
