Park University celebrated the ribbon cutting ceremony officially opening the new Old Kate basketball court on March 20. The project has been a work in progress since spring of last year.

Royce Skocny, a U.S. Navy Veteran and current Park employee, brought the idea to Park Student Government Association.

“I figured we could use a recreational area like this to bring students together,” he said standing under the net of one of the goals. “I brought it to them and they all thought it was a great idea, too. Since then, it’s been a really great process seeing it come to life like this.”

Park University President David Fowler spoke at the ceremony and expressed his “love for the student body and their winning attitude,” as well as their impressive ambition and character. Fowler specifically mentioned Jeremy Barnes, the president of the PSGA, for heading up this effort and seeing it through to fruition.

“This court embodies faith and work,” Barnes said. “It took us almost a year to get it done and I really hope it becomes a centerpiece to Park’s student body for a long time.”

Many people had a hand in making Old Kate court a reality. Along with $25,000 in student funds given to the project, the Sunderland Foundation donated a gift of $44,000 to complete the court.

The court has limestone boulders as a retaining wall not only to provide comfortable seating but also to direct water flow away from the court. It also includes a 10-foot fence to prevent frequent sprints into the surrounding forest for runaway basketballs and timed lights high up above the courts.

As a gift, the president and PSGA gave Sunderland a Park University jersey with his name on it before cutting the ribbon.

The oversized scissors were brought out, held by Fowler, Barnes and Kent Sunderland, foundation representative. The three cut the ribbon followed by applause.

Before each of the three men took free throws to christen the concrete and cherry red and white goals, Fowler took the time to point out that the scissors were real.

“We don’t take any shortcuts here,” he said, gesturing to both the scissors and the new basketball court.

Old Kate is located at the top of Sixth Street directly across from Chestnut Hall.