TUCKER, Ga. (December 12, 2019) – Officials with the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association (GRPA) voted this week to award the 2020 GRPA Class A state boys 10 and under basketball tournament to the City of Tucker, marking the first time the City has hosted such an event. Even more notable, the City’s Parks and Recreation Department has confirmed the tournament will be played in the newly renovated gymnasium at Tucker Recreation Center.
“We are excited about hosting such a prestigious event,” said Parks and Recreation Director Rip Robertson. “This is a very high-quality tournament and very competitive. By sharing the vision for improving our facilities, our Mayor and City Council have helped us to land a really big tournament.”
The tournament will be played on March 6 and 7 at Tucker Recreation Center. Eight qualifying teams from around the State of Georgia will have pool play on Day One, followed by single elimination play on Day Two.
“Having this tournament in the City of Tucker was an easy call,” said GRPA Executive Director Steve Card. “A brand-new gymnasium situated nearby great restaurants, hotels, and shopping opportunities near historic Main Street will enhance the experience for all who attend the tournament. The Tucker Parks and Recreation staff is a great team of professionals who understand how to offer a high quality event.”
The City of Tucker staff also proposed to the GRPA State Athletic Committee to host the first state-wide wheelchair basketball tournament for youth and adults. The City has been working on additional special needs programs and this would provide a competition open to state agencies anxious to participate in this exciting opportunity. The City has already purchased two sports chairs with the assistance of an Atlanta Hawks grant in hopes of encouraging those in the community to come and participate. This tournament would also be hosted at the newly renovated Tucker gymnasium at the end of March.
Earlier this year, the City allocated $275,000.00 to renovate Tucker Recreation Center’s gymnasium. The decision came after strong community input during the City’s Parks Master Plan process. The renovation will allow new sports like basketball, volleyball and pickleball to be played at the Recreation Center.
A formal grand opening and ribbon cutting for the gym will be held on Saturday December 14 at 10 a.m. That will be followed by a free youth basketball clinic. Sign-ups for the City’s first-ever youth basketball league are active right now at www.tuckerga.gov/parks
