Savannah community coming together in hopes of rebuilding Clasbey Memorial Park Courts

SAVANNAH, Mo. (KQTV) -- Community member Wakefield Hare rallied younger recreational sports fans on Friday to draw attention to a non-tax-related solution as they hope to replace the courts near Savannah High School.

After years of resurfacing these courts, many in the community are now backing a project that would add six new tennis courts, six pickleball courts, and a half-sized basketball court. This project is expected to take about $2.7 million, according to one of the main organizers, Wakefield Hare.

He said this has long been a discussion to renovate the area, but it became more of a talking point when adults in the area started playing pickleball on the tennis courts. The improvements will also help ensure the Savannah High School Tennis team has a home court, which they've reportedly had to play off campus many times this season.

When the news first broke, many worried it would bring new taxes. However, under the plan, it will rely on donations and grants.

"The LWCF Grant: we have to show them the community really does want it, not only with their verbal or written feedback, but also with their dollars," Hare shared. "We've been trying to get to $900,000 private contribution. We are within $200,000 of that now and have a $2.7 million project for, like, we see the finish line. We just need to sprint toward the end and put as much energy into it as we can."

To show the community this is a needed commodity and help with fundraising, Friday saw a rally of multiple students, community members, and more at the courts.

For those who doubt the project's necessity, Hare said the proof is in the large cracks in the surface. Some community members even demonstrated large chunks that could be removed from the play area.

"I think you come out here and you see this court, right? This crack right behind me, it's like, it's fine if you're willing to put your body at risk, which plenty of kids don't know the difference. That crack right behind me is about three inches wider than it was just a few months ago," Hare said. "Go through a winter, and it's going to get worse. Once you come out here, you get a sense pretty quick. It's not going to last very much longer like this, if at all longer."

Project projections stated on Hare's website indicate that, if completed, the new courts would last 25 years before improvements would be needed.

For more information on this project, click here.