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Must Be Other Places

The basketball courts at the police station are slated to be replaced with storage buildings. The courts were built 20 years ago with the idea to increase the bond between the police and kids. They have become more than that. They are an asset to Guilford. The courts are used year round. Removing the courts will negatively impact Guilford. They are in great shape, nicely fenced in.

I have a lot of peace of mind when my teenage boys are playing there getting fresh air, exercise, and meeting up with friends. I know that the Guilford basketball league uses the courts regularly for pick-up programs.

If we are truly concerned with the social and emotional wellbeing of our youth, then leave the courts the way they are. There is a certain comfort in knowing the your kids are playing under the safety of the police department. The few other courts in town are more remotely located and don’t have lights. There is no guarantee that they will be replaced and in a way that is accessible, safe, and well-lit. It is a waste of money to replace the beautiful courts with storage buildings and rebuild them elsewhere.

There must be other appropriate places for storage. Perhaps a building can be erected behind the animal shelter or we could pool our resources for a regional shelter with Branford, therefore, freeing up and converting space for storage in existing building. Perhaps, there is room at Guilford High School for new outdoor basketball courts.

Our town has limits to what it offers compared with other towns like Madison’s Surf Club/Town Campus. Guilford should support places for youth and others to gather. This ill-conceived plan needs to be reversed.

I encourage your readers to email the Board of Selectman and sign a petition posted on Facebook.

Julie Schlessel

Guilford