At Wednesday’s city council meeting, Paul Kowalick, president of the association, discussed plans to install murals honoring local heroes inside the city-owned gymnasium.
The GBA, a youth basketball league, welcomes more than 300 youth from across Schuylkill County to its program each year.
The association, which has a decades-long lease with the township, is responsible for repairs and maintenance of the gym and is always looking for ways to improve it, Kowalick said.
The first mural planned for the site is an 8-by-3.5-foot depiction of GBA founder Jack Travis. Originally from Girardville, Travis was an accomplished local baseball player and coach.
“There is a rich history of sportsmen in Girardville,” Kowalick said. “If anyone has any suggestions, maybe we can do the whole gym with (murals) like that.”
The GBA is looking for donors to commission the project, he said. The names of the donors will be included on plaques with each mural.
“We need your help to make this vision a reality,” Kowalick said. “The gym is a Girardville landmark. It promotes local history and culture, and we want to beautify the gym by doing so. We’re asking people to be prepared to make a difference.”
Kowalick also provided an update on ongoing repairs and upgrades.
He said crews are working to repaint the gym and rebuild an entrance.
“We have all the walls painted,” he said. “We have posters about them and they were basically hiding the imperfections in the walls.”
Looking ahead, the association is seeking bids for the installation of steel cladding on the building’s façade.
The GBA, established in 1962, was originally intended solely for Girardville athletes. However, in 2005, it was expanded to include athletes from all over Schuylkill County, at Rhoades’ suggestion.
Also on Wednesday, the city council approved the dates for its Halloween parade and other activities.
The parade will begin at 3:30 pm on October 26, followed by a trunk or treat at 4 pm at the municipality’s basketball courts.
Trick-or-treat night will take place from 6 to 8 pm on October 31.