Nike and AAU Building Basketball Court on Rivington Street

The circus-sized tents arrived on Rivington Street late last week, and our first thought was some shi-shi party. Perhaps a wedding or exclusive event on school grounds. Indeed, black shrouding covered much of the perimeter chain-link fencing to obstruct snoops. But wrong we were. Something bigger is in progress…sport.

Several tipsters reported seeing a fresh elevated basketball court and perimeter bleachers under construction in the concrete play area of Marta Valle/Lower East Side Prep yesterday afternoon. We passed by and heard the loud hammer thuds echoing through the neighborhood, and were met with stone faces when asking about the purpose. Luckily school employees were more forthcoming with the information, though it’s unconfirmed.

We were told that the temporary basketball court is a co-sponsored initiative by Nike and the Amateur Athletic Union (“AAU”), and will remain in place through the end of the summer. This certainly puts a damper on the numerous Zog Sports games that usually transpire here (e.g. kickball games). The new infrastructure will reportedly host tournaments, but there isn’t much in the way of detail made public.

Nike has its hands in many community projects these days, from Masaryk Towers to the Coleman Skatepark.