Community Park’s new basketball court will soon receive an accompanying commemorative plaque and mount.

South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District will oversee the installation of a sculptural mount with eight plaques containing the names of those who sponsored Community Park’s new blue-turfed basketball court. The mount will be in the southeast corner of the court.

The recently completed court is the result of an idea conceived by Rotary of South Whidbey member and Freeland resident Louis Muniz in 2010.

Muniz worked with the Rotary of South Whidbey and seven other major sponsors to raise over $30,000 for the project.

“Even though this was a Rotary of South Whidbey project it was a real community effort, from all the sponsors to the basketball players and community members,” said Muniz.

Rotary of South Whidbey will pay for the cost of the plaque, mount and installation.

Muniz said that, growing up on South Whidbey, he always wished there was a more suitable place for him and fellow basketball players to shoot hoops. The court, he said, will provide a quality place for residents of all ages to play.

“It’s a safe place for families to gather and play,” said Muniz. “A community gathering place is essential.”

During a special Parks and Recreation District meeting Tuesday evening, District Director Doug Coutts said construction is expected to take approximately two weeks, and urged parks commissioners to take action in order to have the plaque completed by the court’s opening ceremony date.

Parks commissioners voted unanimously in favor of the installation under the condition that the structure contain smoothed edges to ensure safety.

According to Muniz, the opening ceremony date is yet to be determined as permanent fencing around the court must first be installed. Once that is completed, he said, the Rotary Club will work with the district to arrange a mutually favorable date.