Old Timer’s League to get their gym back later this year

Ballard’s longest-running weekly basketball league got some good news this week: they’ll be getting their practice space back later this year.

Just before the holidays, we reported that the Old Timer’s had been given an eviction notice by the new owners of Trinity United Methodist, Green Lake Presbyterian Church. David Richmon, pastor of the new church, told My Ballard they weren’t aware that the league used the gym when the sale went through, hence the eviction notice.

However, Richmon met with the team this week to let them know the gym would be theirs to use once they complete much-needed renovations to the church. They’ll be using the gym as a storage space during the upgrades, so it will be out of commission potentially until fall. And, Richmon will let them use the gym for free — they’d previously paid $40 a week to practice there.

“We don’t necessarily need the money, plus they’re open to our community joining their game, so there’s the potential for mutual benefit,” Richmon said. “It’s not always possible (to offer a free space), but money’s not the determining factor. It’s more about a match with mission and values. In this case, it seemed like a pretty easy fit.

“Lastly, and maybe more importantly, it was a good way to serve and bless the neighborhood,” Richmon said.

In the meantime, the Old Timer’s League has found a new practice space at the Crown Hill Community Center while they wait for their gym to reopen.

“They have a beautiful gym that’s just our size (60 feet) and an opening on Tuesday nights,” Erik Hutchinson from the Old Timer’s League told My Ballard.

“All in all things couldn’t have worked out better. We have a great space to play in now, and down the road, we’ll be welcomed back to our home court.”