EAST LOS ANGELES : Lakers Mend Courts at Ramona Gardens
The Los Angeles Lakers paid a visit to Ramona Gardens last week to dedicate a refurbished outdoor basketball court funded by the NBA team and Foot Locker shoe stores.
The asphalt court was repaired and painted and new hoops were installed, said Rhonda Windham, assistant director of public relations for the Lakers. She would not disclose the improvements’ cost.
“This was a facility that desperately needed refurbishing,” she said. “There was a giant hole in the middle of the court. I guess that’s good for your ball-handling skills, but it’s not safe when you’re driving down the court.”
Freddy Gonzalez, 12, and his 8-year-old brother, Mike, were practicing their shots last week at one of the four new backboards. They said they come out to the court frequently.
“The rims were crooked and over there you could see the sewer. There was a hole,” Freddy said, pointing to the middle of the court.
The Lakers have planned basketball clinics for the residents in the near future, Windham said.
“This is the beginning of developing a relationship with the residents of Ramona Gardens,” Windham said.
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