Basketball Courts at Soda Springs City Park Being Revamped! 

City crews have begun demolition of the basketball courts at the Soda Springs City Park, in preparation for a complete overhaul of the area that is scheduled to take place this Spring. Three groups have come together to bring this project to life, blending efforts between the non-profit sector, municipal government and the private sector. 

The Friends of the Soda Springs City Park, a local non-profit organization known for its focus on improving play time at the City Park in Soda Springs by fundraising for and constructing the Caribou CommUNITY playground, shade covers project at the playground, and vending machine project, have recently proposed a joint venture with the City of Soda Springs and N.A. Degerstrom. 

The group first approached Councilman Ryan Carpenter and Recreation Director Jessica Thurman a few months ago about the possibility of undertaking this new project, and both people were enthusiastic about a possible partnership as long as the numbers were affordable on behalf of the City. N.A. Degerstrom joined the conversation shortly thereafter and generously contributed $7,000 towards the Friends’ maintenance fund with the hope that their donation could be contributed towards a basketball court revitalization project. 

At the February 4th City Council meeting the project was formally proposed to the council and received unanimous support after finalizing some terms of the agreement. Details for the project are as follows: 

The total cost to demolish the existing blacktop, complete necessary groundwork, and install 2.5 inch-thick asphalt across the span of the courts area is $25,886. Degerstrom’s donation of $7,000 brings the total down to $18,886. The Friends and City will be splitting this bill equally, each contributing $9,443.

In addition to the City paying $9,443 towards the construction of this project, the city will be removing the existing basketball poles, scraping them and repainting them, painting the court lines on the new asphalt, and replacing the majority of the backboards, basketball hoops and nets with all new products. 

The city voted to support a total project cost of up to $12,000 towards the bill for construction and other expenses associated with completing the basketball courts area. 

The groups are anxious to get this project completed as soon as weather permits; especially prior to the 4th of July holiday so the area is ready to welcome competitors in the City’s annual basketball tournament each Independence Day, and during the county’s America250 celebrations!

When the basketball court revamp project is completed, it will mark the 4th successfully completed project that the Friends have undertaken. Laura Lind, the FOTSSCP President said, “This project will improve the safety of this well-loved community asset while increasing the amount of time we spend outdoors exercising and building relationships with each other.”

This endeavor falls in line with Mayor Paul Gritton’s vision of beautifying Soda Springs. Mayor Gritton said, “It is community members like the Friends of the S.S. City Park who spark change and  bring improvements to our hometown. I am particularly thankful for all the hard work done by the Friends of the Park. The Soda Springs City Park Basketball Court reconditioning project is another example of the incredible things this great group does for all of us. Partners like Degerstrom make these projects even more successful. On behalf of the City of Soda Springs I want to personally thank Degerstrom and the Friends of the Park for making Soda Springs an even better place to live!”

Casey Lee, General Manager for N.A. Degerstrom said about the project, “For the past several years we have been contributing to programs we have felt would benefit the community and build pride in it. It was very gratifying for N.A.D. to participate in local parades, sponsor rodeos, host entries in area trunk-or-treat events, donating gifts to the sheriff’s Toys-for-Tots program, donating funds towards the all-abilities playground and separate shade covers project, as well as donating time from our skilled workforce who helped construct the playground 8 years ago.” He added, “With N.A.D. leaving the area this year, we took the opportunity to make another donation to the F.O.T.S.S.C.P. since we know how well they put those funds to use. We hope new basketball courts will inspire many people to get outside and have fun, and think it will look beautiful alongside the rest of the park. We love our neighbors and friends in Soda Springs!”