New basketball program gives Elkhart's Tolson Center a new purpose

ELKHART, Ind – The new year will see a basketball program at Elkhart’s Tolson Center give the community center a new purpose.  

The community center that shut its doors this summer will host a new basketball program for children in Elkhart. 

“I’m teaching more about education than basketball but basketball is a way to connect them,” Elkhart resident and basketball program coach Albert White said. 

The program will be Monday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. each day for children in grades 3 through 12.

Elkhart resident Kenneth Hunt guided the program from its beginning stages through Elkhart’s Parks Department to reach an agreement to rent the space hourly for the days they’re open for a 6-month period. 

A plan is being drafted to present to Mayor Tim Neese regarding the future of the Tolson Center.