Healthy Hoops Project moving along

By Editor | June 4, 2025 |

By Carmen Ensinger

The White Hall Park Board’s latest project is quickly coming to fruition thanks to the generosity of the community. The Healthy Hoops Project, which aims to build a basketball court in Whiteside Park, is nearing its funding goal.
“We are working to raise funds to put a basketball court here within Whiteside Park,” Park Board Member Kelsey Nell said. “We are currently up to around $23,000, the bulk of which has been raised within the past six weeks. We think it is awesome that our community is showing up for us.”
The project will include a 70×22 concrete pad with four inches of concrete and four inches of rock and wire mesh, lighting, fencing, landscaping and benches.
Their original goal was to raise $25,000, but Nell said that as with many community efforts, that goal has become a moving target. One thing that changed was the placement of the court within Whiteside Park.
“After working with the city council, we’ve shifted the court’s direction on the southwest corner of Whiteside Park, near Main Street,” Nell said. “This change brings greater visibility and accessibility, but it also means more fencing is needed for safety, which adds to the cost. We are currently estimating around $10,000 for this fencing.”
Another change from the original plan is in the material for the backboards.
“In collaboration with Roodhouse officials, we’ve opted for metal backboards instead of glass, based on their strong recommendation for durability and long term maintenance,” Nell said. “It is another necessary, but added expense. Even at a discounted rate, the hoops are running over $5,000.”
The one thing that actually went down in price was the concrete pad – thanks to a generous local contractor donating a large portion of the labor.
“We sought out three bids which differed significantly,” Nell said. “The low bid, which was $18,990, came from Mike Newingham. In submitting his bid, he noted that he significantly reduced this bid because he is donating his labor as a way to give back to the community, which we greatly appreciate.”
Nell said there will be more than just a concrete pad with two hoops.
“We are also wanting to have a beautification component that will be added to the park,” she said. “The lighting and landscaping will not only increase safety and usability but truly beautify the park and make it a welcoming space.”
The project is being led almost entirely by volunteers that includes parents, small business owners, full time workers and community members.
“We are all just trying to make something great happen for White Hall,” Nell said. “We know there may have been more efficient ways to handle planning and estimating, but we are learning every step of the way.”
Nell said there is also an economic component to the project as well.
“Even though it is a basketball court, there are some economic opportunities that could stem from it,” she said. “It could be used for three-on-three tournaments or different leagues could practice here. When people are in town, they buy from the gas stations and restaurants, so we think this is a win-win for everyone.”
They have received some substantial donations including a $5,000 donation from the Tracy Family Foundation and one from the White Hall Masonic Lodge. Christ United Methodist Church also gave a $3,000 donation while Le Esarey Perry donated $1,000.
Those giving $500 donations included: A and M Sievers Farms, Casey’s, Eli and Natasha Bodwell, Graham Slam Custodial Services, Matt and Shelby Painter, NG Boosters, NG Knights, Ryan and Kendra Crabtree, Sloan’s, Solus Medical, LLC, Terry and Jan Price, the Shelly Greene Family, the Taylor and Tiffany Scott family.
Scheels provided a $400 gift card and MJ Kellner Supplies is also contributing to the project.