SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio's Southside's Jimmy Flores Park basketball court received an incredible Silver and Black upgrade courtesy of Spurs Give in partnership with the City of San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department and San Antonio Parks Foundation.
Young athletes, families, and District 5 councilmember Teri Castillio celebrated the renovated San Antonio Spurs-themed court at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Jimmy Flores Park.
From the Spurs logo on the center court to the silver and black color scheme, it represented the 15th play space renovated through Play SA, a multi-year $1 million program dedicated to renovating parks and basketball courts across San Antonio.
"The space already existed, but they needed a safe place that was covered from the elements," said Spurs, Sports and Entertainment's Chief People, Impact, and Belonging Officer Dr. Kara Allen. "Most especially covered from the sun, and I believe good design is dignity, and how we design things shows our dignity for those who utilize them. So, this court is creative."
The renovated court will serve the Southside tremendously, especially for the Leal Middle School students and the surrounding neighborhood looking for a safe spot to play basketball and stay active.
"It's a branding commitment to ensure that the Southside knows that we are here and we're responsive to the things they tell us they care about, they love," said Allen.
To further its commitment to this area of San Antonio, Spurs Give also revealed a newly paved parking lot and new bathrooms near the basketball court.
"The parking lot needed investment. The play space needed an investment, and the bathroom spaces needed an investment. So that's all the stuff that we committed to," Allen said.
Overall, it was a tremendous afternoon despite the chilly temperature.
The young athletes from Leal Middle School and the YMCA Living Center participated in a basketball clinic led by Spurs Sports Academy coaches and Our Lady of the Lake University basketball players.
There was an appearance by the Spurs Coyote and Parker, the San Antonio Parks and Recreation mascot, which brought smiles and laughs to everyone in attendance.
Spurs Give is not done helping revitalize basketball parks throughout the San Antonio community.
Kingsbourough Park will next receive much-needed help from Spurs Give and its partners just in time for the warmer days ahead.
"They need some commitment to that space as well and we are just in the beginning stages alongside the parks department, the (Spurs Give) foundation, to figure out exactly what that will look like," Allen said. "But we know that's where we're dedicating our dollars for the next couple of months"
The Spurs have helped the Southside tremendously this NBA season. During the holiday season, the franchise participated in a Christmas tree giveaway for Southside families.