Press Release

Onawa Gets New Basketball Court

Onawa has a new outdoor basketball court for kids for fun and fitness, thanks to major support from Monona County Community Partners.
Construction was just completed on the high-school-regulation-sized basketball court, and a ribbon cutting celebration was held with games, refreshments and mini basketballs for kids.

The cement court, sized 42 x 74 feet, features two adjustable breakaway basketball hoops and poles. It was installed next to the Onawa skate park at the Gaukel Park complex to be close to other playground equipment used by local youths.

The basketball court should be used by hundreds of young people over the years, according to Sue McLaughlin, Got 2 Move coordinator at Burgess Health Center who wrote a grant application for the court along with Michele Kirkendall. If users don't bring their own basketballs, basketballs can be “checked out” free at the Onawa Community Center.

"We wanted to locate the court in a highly used area by Monona County families and youth," McLaughlin says. "We needed more community sites to encourage kids to be more active. We think the court will be used by all ages and will be a definite asset to our community."
In addition to open use of the basketball court, Got 2 Move will provide ongoing organized game activities through the summer park and recreation program, McLaughlin says.

"This project could not have happened without the support of the Onawa Park board, Burgess co-workers who assisted with the grant, coalition members and the Monona County Partners board members," McLaughlin says. "A huge thank you to everyone."

The basketball court is the latest project of Got 2 Move and Monona County Health Coalition efforts. Last year Got 2 Move funded a new disc golf course, fun tunnel and tether ball set in the park. More equipment will soon be added. The goal of the coalition with Got 2 Move projects is to provide equipment, activities and youth programming at no-cost to make fitness activities available for all area youth and families.

The majority of funding for the new basketball court came from a $8,422 grant from Monona County Community Partners Foundation. Additional funding for installation, basketball hoops, poles and balls came from Burgess Health Center, the Onawa Park Board and Got 2 Move Wellmark Foundation grant.

Monona County Community Partners awarded grants to 22 nonprofit organizations to enhance the quality of life in the area. The foundation was established in 2005 through the Siouxland Community Foundation to link charitable resources with county needs.