DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — Community members came together on Monday at a Decatur venue to join in the celebration of a newly revealed basketball court.

For over two decades, the Old King’s Orchard Community Center has been instrumental in guiding at-risk youth towards a positive direction. The center’s director, Devon Joyner, expressed his aspiration for the new court to become a safe haven within the neighborhood.

“It’s community development at its best and doing everything we can to make this community a better place,” Joyner said. 

To commemorate the occasion, program participants from the center were given the honor of cutting the ribbon. The community center’s primary mission is to curb violent crime in the vicinity.

The inauguration ceremony featured a variety of activities catering to children of all ages, such as three-point shooting challenges and horse contests. Additionally, kids enjoyed bounce houses and face painting, all enhanced by lively music and delicious food.

A day of success — leaving Joyner optimistic that other organizations will follow through too. 

“There are enough agencies out here that if we collaborated, we could meet more people where they are at,” Joyner said.