Tuscaloosa Leaders Celebrate Opening Of New PAL Gym And Basketball Courts

TUSCALOOSA, AL — City leaders and community members gathered Friday afternoon to celebrate the grand opening of the new Police Athletic League (PAL) gym and basketball courts, a project city officials say will strengthen connections between law enforcement and local youth.

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The ribbon-cutting ceremony featured remarks from Mayor Walt Maddox, Deputy Chief Sebo Sanders and District 1 Councilor Joe Eatmon.

“This has been a very personal project to me, because of these young people here,” 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 updated PAL Gym includes a refinished basketball court, new flooring, paint, lighting and ceilings, along with an updated scoreboard and fire alarm system.

The project, which saw work begin earlier this year, also added two new outdoor courts adjacent to the gym.

“It’s all about our kids, and we have to invest in our kids. Our kids are the future,” 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 each year through athletic and educational programming aimed at fostering mentorship, teamwork and positive community relationships.

Eatmon, a former basketball player and current head coach at Shelton State Community College, said the facility represents more than new courts.

“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,” he 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.”

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