From The Files of The Seminole Producer

Hulett Edgmon, chairman of the city parks and recreation board, is optimistic that six tennis courts will be built in three Seminole parks before the summer is over.

“I’m almost positive that six courts will be built,” said Edgmon. “There’s a strong possibility that matching money from the federal government can be secured and this will allow us to build six more.”

The park and recreation board, according to Edgmon, has plans of building two tennis courts in Municipal Park, two in the Jim Maguire Park on Strothers St., and two in C. R. Johns Park on South Milt Phillips Ave.

Also, the city park board wants to construct a wading pool in the C. R. Johns Park, which is located in the Seminole black community.

Funds to construct the six tennis courts and the wading pool are those left from the city park bond issue voted over a year ago to construct the new community building and golf pro shop in Municipal Park as part of the Five-for-the-Future Bond issue.

“The community building is 95 percent complete,” Edgmon said. “We feel that we will have sufficient funds remaining to construct the six courts.

“We promised the people during the bond election that money left over would be used to construct six courts and the wading pool. The board plans to stick with its word if sufficient funds are left over.”

Edgmon pointed out that the courts would be of top quality.

“They will have metered lights such as the high school courts now have and will be asphalt-surfaced,” he said.

The park board chairman said he is hopeful that matching funds from the federal government can be obtained. “If so then we can construct an additional six courts making a grand total of 12 for our city parks,” he added.

Edgmon said that if the additional six are built they will probably be built into one large complex. “It’s possible we will add them on to the two courts we are going to build in Municipal park and have one large eight-court complex in the large city park,” he stated.

“It’s my understanding that if we do get matching money then the courts will have to be built in city parks,” said Edgmon.

When asked if some courts might be built near Seminole Junior College, the board chairman replied, “If I understand correctly this would not be possible. These funds would have to be used to build courts only in the city parks.”

Edgmon did say that a large complex of courts would be nice especially when the city hosts a large tennis tournament such as the state juniors meet slated for Seminole on May 25-28.

“Right now, we are waiting to see what money will be left over when the community building is completed,” Edgmon said. “We fell there will be sufficient funds to complete the wading pool and the six courts.

“When we see what our money situation is we will also apply for federal matching funds. I’m optimistic that we will have six courts built in the three city parks before the summer is over, and I hope that we get matching funds to construct 12.”

Presently there is no tennis courts in the city’s five parks. City tennis fans have had to rely on the four lighted courts at Seminole High School for their tennis play and the six unlighted courts at Roosevelt Central School. -oOo Slants – A city motorist being informed by police that cars cannot turn right-on-red anymore at the intersection of Main and Broadway Streets… According to police righton- red turns may only be made at intersections which have signs indicating that they are legal… Police Chief Kenneth Higdon will retire from the Seminole force tomorrow, and new police chief Harry Wakefield will take command of the city force… The Wakefields, formerly of Edmond, have already moved to Seminole… Terry McDonald telling how grateful Seminole High School band members are for the new green and white school bus which will be used to make other school trips besides taking the band places… But the students just want the taxpayers to know how appreciative they are… Rudy Reed on a visit home from Saudi Arabia… Mrs. Mike Bowman with a friendly smile for customers… Bob Brown back home on Fish Market Road after an 18-day hospital stay… Jim Myer nominating Ann Patterson to the John Wayne fan club… Dee Webber being happy that she bowled a high series total of 400 last week in league action at the local bowling links… Mrs. Willard (Lola) Calhoun performing a courteous gesture for a surprised friend… Sheriff Bill Merryfield introducing his nephew “Bill Merryfield” to a reporter… The sheriff’s nephew in here visiting for a few days.