by Scott Sacry, Sports Editor
Looking to recreate the beach volleyball scene from “Top Gun”? You’re in luck as there is a new sand volleyball court in the works in Florence. So grab three of your muscular friends and some tanning oil and get ready for some summer sand volleyball action.
On Tuesday, June 17, Ravalli Electric Co-op (REC) representative Tanner Wilson presented a $10,000 check to the Florence Civic Club to help complete a sand volleyball court in Florence near Hideout Mountain Park, which is on Florence Carlton Loop near the American Legion baseball fields.
The funds are part of REC’s Power of Change program which gives money to local organizations in need. Florence Civic Club member Scott Jenkins is leading the sand volleyball court project and was instrumental in applying for the REC funds.
On Tuesday, June 17, Ravalli Electric Co-op presented a $10,000 check to the Florence Civic Club to help complete a sand volleyball court in Florence near Hideout Mountain Playground. Photo courtesy of Scott Jenkins.
“The total cost will be around $20,000,” said Jenkins. “Along with the money from the REC, the Florence Civic Club already had some money from donations, and we have been getting lots of volunteer time and donations along the way.”
The new sand volleyball court will be inside the fence of the old tennis court, which currently houses a hockey ice rink in winter. At the beginning of winter, the sand courts will be smoothed out and covered, then the ice rink will go over the top of the sand.
The Florence Civic Club has been instrumental in the project. “The plan was always for there to be an ice rink in the winter and a sand volleyball court in the summer,” said Jenkins, who is also an assistant coach for the Florence High School volleyball team. “We got the hockey rink and now we’re close to getting the volleyball courts in. We hope to get some adult and junior sand volleyball leagues going. We also hope to have camps in the future.”
“The adults are excited, the kids are excited,” said Jenkins. “Once it gets going, we want people to get engaged and come down and participate. It’s going to be awesome.”
The courts will be open to the community and should be ready for any Maverick vs Iceman matchups by July 4th. For more information contact Scott Jenkins and the Florence Civic Club at (406) 370-0144. For those who want to help, donations are always welcomed.