Makins Basketball Court to Open Next Week

The public basketball court at Makins Recreation Ground will officially be opened by the Mayor next Wednesday (9 August) at 11am.

The idea for the court was originally proposed by young resident and Gillotts School pupil George Allen to Henley Town Council in November 2021.  George has been playing basketball since he was 7 and has been playing with Reading Rockets for the last 18 months.

A public consultation took place in August 2022, the results of which were very positive. Of 116 respondents, 90% stated the hoop was needed and 91% agreeing that Makins was the perfect location. Taking expert advice, the final design was agreed to be a Basketball England Half Court 3×3.

The project has been funded by Henley Town Council alongside South Oxfordshire District Council Community Grants and Everyone Active Grants, Tesco Community Grant and Thamesfield Youth Association.

Work started on the court last week with local company, Collins and Lane doing the groundworks for the court and Southern Plant & Tool hire offered free plant hire, providing a dumper.

George said this week, “I’m very very happy it’s finally being built after a long time.  The size is a lot a bigger than I anticipated.  I’m really looking forward to playing with my friends and I’m going to beat them all!  I’m going to spread the word with my friends to come down and play.  Eventually it would be nice to add on some stuff like some fencing and lights. I’m very grateful for everyone who has helped me out through this.  They have made it so much easier.”

The Mayor will be giving out some free basketballs on the opening day.