Residents voice concerns over naming of basketball court at Douglass Park in Columbia
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Some Columbia residents are voicing their concerns over the naming of the basketball courts at Douglass Park as renovations begin.
The City of Columbia announced in 2023 the park would be named after former coach Willie Cox.
Cox died back in 2019 and was an assistant coach for the University of Missouri's women's basketball team.
Community members say they are grateful and looking forward to the new renovations, but would have liked to see the naming of one of the two courts to reflect more than just the university.
Anthony Johnson, is a Columbia resident and founder of Columbia Supreme basketball, said "I feel like the people the courts should be named after are being left out."
Ward 1 Councilwoman Valerie Carroll was not on the Columbia City Council at the time the project was approved, but she believes the decision shows there needs to be a more robust engagement process.
"Sounds like in the process of reaching out and getting feedback from the community we are not truly reaching the community that used the park and used the basketball courts," Carroll said.
Johnson said one of the basketball courts should honor the basketball program Moon-Light Hoops.
"It was ran and started by Tracey Edwards, Scottie Williams, Rufus, Mr. Foster was always in the park doing a ton for the kids, East Cealiste, those peoples names need to always be remembered," Johnson said.
Kim Wuest believes the other court should honor someone else.
"Some people in the community or is there one person related to Douglass Park itself or someone related to the school next to it that we could give a memory to," Wuest said
A project to renovate the Douglass Park basketball courts in central Columbia will cost more than $900,000, according to the City of Columbia website.
The City of Columbia has begun its renovations to the basketball courts.
Columbia Parks and Recreation said Monday on Facebook that the courts will be closed temporarily until the improvements are complete, which is expected in early June.
Improvements to the courts include installing a park shelter, new rims, LED lighting and sports surfacing to honor University of Missouri women’s assistant coach Willie Cox, the post says.
The target budget for the project is $907,000, with funding from the University of Missouri, the Veterans United Foundation and the 2021 Park Sales Tax.
According to the city, $495,000 comes from a 2023 fiscal year grant, $321,000 will come from the park sales tax and $100,000 is being sourced from donations.
The Columbia Parks and Recreation Facebook post says a portion of the park sales tax will also fund improvements to the aquatic facility and expansion of the Douglass skate park.
