Paradise calls foul on street basketball

By Mark Squibb / July 7, 2023

Portable basketball nets placed along the side of the road is as sure a sign that summer has arrived as any.

But residents along Spracklin Boulevard in Paradise have recently been ordered by the Town to take those nets off the street.

“I know a lot of us on council received some correspondence from residents, especially those on Spracklin Boulevard, regarding basketball nets that had been in the streets,” said councillor Elizabeth Laurie, who noted the decision to order the nets be removed was complaint driven. “We did receive complaints, and so we had to action that, and issue the warning for people to remove them from off the streets, because they are not permitted.”

Laurie said she had also received e-mails from residents all over town who had heard about the orders issued to residents on Spracklin and wondered whether the Town would be ordering them to remove their basketball nets as well.

Planning and Protective Services Committee Chairperson Deputy Mayor Kimberley Street did not know whether folk on other streets would be ordered to have their basketball nets removed as well, as the issue on Spracklin was complaint driven. But she did say that she would like to bring the matter back to committee for further discussion.

Councillor Deborah Quilty added she was glad the matter was going back to committee for review, as in her 30 years serving on council this is the first time the Town has received a complaint about basketball nets.

“We all have seen basketball nets on streets throughout our town, and so I’m glad to see we’re going to have a discussion on that,” said Quilty, who added the Town must investigate complaints when they are received.

Recreation and Community Services committee chairperson councillor Larry Vaters said the matter would also be discussed in his committee.