City of Tuscaloosa Holds Ribbon Cutting for Police Athletic League Gym and Basketball Courts

The City of Tuscaloosa held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Police Athletic League (PAL) Gym and Basketball Courts on Friday, October 24 at 3:30 p.m.

Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox, Tuscaloosa Police Department Chief Severn "Sebo" Sanders and Councilor Joe Eatmon spoke during the ceremony.

"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."

The new PAL Gym facility includes an updated scoreboard, refinished court, a new fire alarm system, and updated flooring, paint, lighting and ceilings. Two new outdoor courts were built for the project as well.

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

The Tuscaloosa Police Athletic League serves hundreds of children annually through programs including athletics and educational activities.

"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," Councilor 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."

Construction for this project began earlier this year.