Officials Cut Ribbon on West Tuscaloosa's New PAL Gym and Courts

Elected officials and law enforcement leaders cut the ribbon on a new, modernized gym and basketball courts in West Tuscaloosa Friday, expanding recreational opportunities for youth in the area.

The Police Athletic League, or PAL, is operated on Culver Road in West Tuscaloosa and last week, Mayor Walt Maddox joined TPD Chief Brent Blankley and Chief of Community Policing Sebo Sanders to cut the ribbon on upgrades to the gym and a pair of new courts.

"This has been a very personal project to me, because of these young people here," Mayor Walt Maddox said. "The reason why I got into public service is because I felt on some level and in some way, I could change my little corner of the world. The longer that I'm in public service, the more I realize that the real change comes from supporting our youth."

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The upgrades include an updated scoreboard and refinished court inside, a new fire alarm system, paint, lighting and ceilings. The project, which kicked off earlier this year, also erected a pair of new outdoor courts.

"It's all about our kids, and we have to invest in our kids. Our kids are the future," Chief Sanders said. "To invest in these courts means a lot. These kids are going to be the leaders of tomorrow."

In a press release, the city said the Tuscaloosa Police Athletic League serves hundreds of children each year via both educational and athletic programs.

"I know a lot of people look at today as a ribbon cutting for a basketball court; we see basketball courts, we see basketballs, but as someone who's had basketball impact their life, I see a lot more than a basketball court," District 1 City Councilman Joe Eatmon said. "I see bridges being built between law enforcement, I see these young people being mentored and their lives being better, I see life-long friendships being developed. Those are all things that I gained, not only from basketball, but from the City of Tuscaloosa."

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