The basketball courts at Yates Field House, the campus recreation center, reopened Feb. 4, nearly seven months after Georgetown University Campus Recreation announced their closure for a renovation project.
Campus Recreation announced July 21 that the courts would be unavailable for roughly six to eight weeks as renovation plans came to fruition, reopening just before the start of the Fall 2024 semester, removing a key community space for club athletes, intramural leagues and recreation players. In an email sent to students Sept. 6, university staff announced delays in the courts’ reopening, citing water damage and planned abatement of non-hazardous amounts of mercury found beneath the floor.
Gianni Brescio (SFS ’28), who has frequently used the courts since their reopening, said the space has been popular with students.
“I felt like they kept extending it and now that it’s finally here it’s so exciting,” Brescio told The Hoya. “The new courts are really nice, everyone is really enjoying them. So yeah, I think they were worth the wait.”
While the courts were closed for renovation, Campus Recreation offered alternative spaces for sports typically played on the courts, including setting up an outdoor basketball court on Kehoe Field and pickleball and badminton courts in a group fitness studio. Campus Recreation also temporarily repurposed one tennis court for basketball use.
Brescio said he feels the courts’ reopening is beneficial for student culture, whether that involves intramurals or just casual play.
“It brings people together, it’s community, anyone can play, you don’t have to be good,” Brescio said.
In addition to the basketball remodel, the courts will also provide space for volleyball, badminton and pickleball, following the installation of net holes in the coming weeks.
Susan Sell-Haynes, the executive director of Campus Recreation, said the renovated courts will allow Campus Recreation to expand its programming and accommodate sports beyond basketball.
“We are excited about the improvements to the courts, as the new facilities will significantly enhance the student experience,” Sell-Haynes wrote to The Hoya. “The renovation will increase capacity with four volleyball courts (up from two), as well as four interchangeable badminton and pickleball courts (previously, we only had two badminton courts and no pickleball courts). This expanded space will allow for larger events, more open recreational play and greater opportunities for student engagement in various sports.”
Rohan Jois (SFS ’28), another person who plays intramural sports, said he is excited to use the courts again.
“The construction from last semester stopped me from playing. I was looking forward to playing IM basketball from before I started my first semester,” Jois wrote to The Hoya. “I thought it would be a fun way to be active and spend time with my friends. I also thought it’d be nice to compete with low stakes, and I just find playing basketball fun.”
Kathleen List (CAS ’28), who plays in the intramural basketball league, said the courts have been crowded since their opening.
“As soon as they opened up, it was already full. I was there at 8 a.m. the day it opened, and it was quite crowded,” List told The Hoya. “They’re super nice courts, and I’m glad that they are open, finally.”
Jois said the reopening has encouraged his team to resume their time at the court.
“We’re doing really poorly in terms of basketball right now, but we’re really successful in spirit,” Jois said.
