BEATRICE – The Gage County Planning Commission is recommending approval of a rural Beatrice couple’s project to create an indoor basketball practice area for their kids and other youth.


Dan and Lori Crawford applied for a special use permit for the project, planned in Section 6 of Lincoln Township, about seven miles west of Beatrice.
Dan Crawford says he and his wife have children actively involved in basketball.


"It's always been a challenge, in this town...to find time to practice, to find gyms that are available. With the "Y", there's not a lot of time or place to practice, so I've always had an idea that I'd love to build some type of facility that my kids could practice in...and as I evolved, I said I kind of need something that I can also store some machinery in also. So, it kind of developed into a multi-purpose kind of deal so I could use it as farm, but also give kids an opportunity to have a place to come out".


The project received letters of support from Beatrice Boys Head Basketball Coach Clark Ribble and President of the local Hoops Program, Dr. R.J. Crandall.
Crawford intends to put up a facility with twenty-foot sidewalls with a full basketball court inside.


"I've coached fifth grade, I coached my freshman all the way up to this year. I guess I feel there is a great need in this area....not just in Beatrice but in all areas, for some type of facility".


The project requires a special use permit because it would be located within the setback of the nearby Ensz Feedlot. Owners of that lot and Crawford have reached agreement on a waiver of the setback requirement. County Planning Commission member Wade Thornburgh it always helps when developers keep in contact with neighbors about a planned project.
Crawford says the facility will meet fire code requirements to address liability issues and would be intended for other uses.


"I would have all the fire alarms I would need, all the exits I would need, the fire doors....I've researched that.....the plumbing, so I've been researching it the past couple of years. I guess that's the reason for the special use permit so I can maybe use it for multiple things down the road. But, probably the liability is the biggest thing".


The all-steel insulated building would have an enclosed area of 62-by-150 feet, with overhang areas for machinery storage and garage space. Inside would be a 50-by-84-foot court. Crawford says he’s doing it for the kids, but it would be built with a purpose that it could also be rented for events.


The commission recommended approval of the special use permit on a 4-0 vote. The recommendation now goes to the Gage County Board, for consideration.