February 17, 2010

Cell Phone Reception and Park Basketball Courts to Benefit From Duarte Agreement with AT&T and T-Mobile

What do some cell phone customers and basketball players in Duarte have in common? They can both expect to benefit from construction about to begin at Royal Oaks Park on Vineyard, north of Royal Oaks Dr.

As a result of a lease agreement between the City and AT&T and T-Mobile to improve cellular service in the area, the carriers will replace two 30 foot high, existing basketball court light poles at Royal Oaks Park with two 51 foot high poles with antenna. New energy-efficient lighting fixtures featuring improved optics to reduce glare onto adjacent properties will be mounted on the poles. The new lighting will include an automated control system that allows both remote and manual clock programming of the court lights.

In exchange for the use of the park and installation of the cellular antenna, pre-paid lease payments by AT&T and T-Mobile will fund an immediate total reconstruction of the basketball courts. Two concrete, regulation-sized basketball courts with new backboards and support poles will be installed.

The project will also include the construction of an 865 square foot equipment building just east of the basketball courts that will be shared by the two carriers.

Construction is expected to take several months and be completed by this summer.

For more information about the project, call Director of Parks and Recreation, Donna Georgino at (626) 357-7931.