By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

Crews are set to complete a pair of new basketball courts at Alabaster’s Municipal Park this summer after the City Council approved a bid for the project during a May 20 meeting.

During the meeting, the council voted unanimously to accept a $106,560 bid from the Richard Sprouse Construction company to install the new basketball courts, which will be built next to the tennis courts at Municipal Park.

“This is sorely needed,” said Council President Scott Brakefield, noting residents have been requesting city basketball courts for several years. “This will be the first place to play basketball in our community for a long, long time.

“It’s not the size or scope we’d like it to be, but hopefully it’s a step in the right direction,” Brakefield added.

The project cost was included in the city’s 2014 capital improvement budget, said Ward 5 Councilman Russell Bedsole.

Once completed, the project will add one full-size basketball court and two half courts to the park. Crews will begin construction after the Alabaster CityFest, which is scheduled for June 1.

It likely will take between 30-45 days to complete the project, said Alabaster City Manager George Henry.