Orchard Park Regeneration Project to provide Portsmouth basketball court hits milestone
The Orchard Park Regeneration Project, created by local basketball coaches, artists, and community activists, has raised more than £30,000 in just over two months to completely transform the court near Goldsmith Avenue.
The regeneration work is set to begin in mid-July, with a complete re-surfacing of the court and new fencing, backboards, and line markings, as well as a display showcasing Portsmouth’s basketball heritage,
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Hide AdNow the project is aiming to raise a further £20,000 to create a spectacular mural across the court’s surface – and children can submit their designs to inspire the finished artwork.
The entries will be judged by celebrated international artist and illustrator Hattie Stewart, who will use the artworks as inspiration for her final design for the court.
Annabel Innes, a co-founder of the project, said: ‘It feels absolutely fantastic to reach the phase one fundraising target.
'It means we can do the really significant work, and now we can focus on the real ‘wow’ factor.
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Hide Ad‘The artwork would put us in quite an elite league of cities who have transformed inner city courts. It would massively raise the profile of basketball in Portsmouth.’
The artwork will be applied by a professional production team Absolutely Studio with a life expectancy of up to 10 years.
Colouring-in sheets are available by contacting the project through it’s Crowdfunder page, with sheets sent to schools across the city.
More than 220 supporters have so far contributed to the ambitious project, with generous patrons claiming a variety of thank-you gifts – ranging from limited edition basketballs to VIP Victorious Festival packages – via the project’s Crowdfunder page.
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Hide AdFurther works will see the improvements to existing flower beds and the installation of new freestanding planters designed by Portsmouth-based gardening company Garden Angels.
Coaching sessions and tournaments are also planned for the revamped sports site.
Anyone wishing to donate to the project can do so at crowdfunder.co.uk/orchard-park-artwork