Parks & Rec’s Basketball Dilemma—

Too Many Players, Too Little Court Space

By Kendra Bobowick

Some basketball players in Newtown are literally all dressed up with no place to play. Court space is limited to the point of exclusion, according to the comments of a recreation supervisor at a Parks and Recreation Committee meeting earlier this month.

“This is not a healthy picture,” Recreation Supervisor RoseAnn Reggiano, said after the meeting.

The number of children enrolled has essentially outgrown the courts. Estimating, Ms Reggiano said, “We have over 1,300 kids in Newtown Youth Basketball and trying to get all their games in is trouble.”

Since Parks and Recreation is allowed to use the various schools’ indoor facilities in coordination with school activities, the recreation department also must abide school closing times.

“We have to be out by 9:30 pm [weeknights] and out on the weekends by 6 pm,” she said.

Thinking of the many students enrolled with the hopes of seeing court time, Ms Reggiano said, “I feel bad. There is just not enough space. There is not enough and there is no place for them to go.”

She said the recreation department uses “all gyms in all schools,” but accommodating the Youth Basketball League’s students, spanning ages from kindergarten through senior year, is “tricky.”

“Not all schools have full-size gymnasiums,” she said, which narrows the number of choices for older students. “You can’t put the seniors in the grammar schools.”

She introduced the problem at the recent meeting because, “I don’t know what to do or how to help.” Discussion only confirmed that school events take priority, for one. No solutions became evident. One suggestion included requesting that the schools remain open slightly longer in the hopes of creating more playtime. But Ms Reggiano learned that the gym times were determined by the school system and janitorial staff only remained until a certain time, after which they close up the building.

She said, “I understand their position and respect that. I don’t want to upset anyone.” During the meeting she had also expressed to the other members that “we need to follow school rules.”

 Frustrated by the constraints, Ms Reggiano said, “It gets worse as enrollment goes up and Newtown is growing.” She added, “We’re in desperate need of a community center.”

Parks and Recreation relies “totally on the schools” for running these basketball programs.

Superintendent of Schools Evan Pitkoff noted he had not yet officially heard from the recreation department regarding the crunch for court space. He had concerns, however, about keeping schools open longer than usual, especially on school nights. He also had personnel concerns. Dr Pitkoff said, “If you keep facilities open, it would require additional custodial help.”

Currently, all school facilities are used to a maximum, he said.

Parents of those enrolled in the basketball programs also have something to say.

Parks and Recreation Commission Vice Chairman Ed Marks has two sons who are signed up for basketball, but have had games cancelled due to lack of space.

He and his sons are disappointed, he said. “It’s hardest on [the players] because they’re disappointed that there is no opportunity to get on court.”

Mr Marks also emphasized, “It’s really a great league even though it’s late. It gives them something to do at night.”

Although Dr Pitkoff believes Reed School creates additional court space, ironically, Mr Marks said this is where “we’ve had most problems and the most difficult time.”

Mr Marks added, “We’re hoping to receive a little more time.”

Reed School principal Donna Denniston explained that Parks and Recreation is able to use the schools facilities “every day, even weekends.” Recreation activities are in operation “every day, seven days a week,” she said. Ms Denniston also stresses that Parks and Recreation makes requests, and programs are scheduled.

School activities such as plays or sports may take precedence, but Ms Denniston said, “We haven’t needed the gym one single time.” Also, Ms Denniston said, she has not spoken with recreation officials about any additional time in the gym.

The principal believes there may be concern over extending the Saturday hours past the usual 6 pm closing. “The only thing we have denied is a Saturday night,” she said. Ms Denniston has reason to believe that high school students would have been scheduled in that slot, which the gym is not built to accommodate, she said.

In the end, the matter comes down to staffing.

“We would have to find custodians” to keep the building open later, she said.