Eastside Basketball Club (EBC), a competitive youth basketball and sports training organization, held its official ribbon-cutting celebration and unveiled its newly named basketball court at its Redmond location last Friday.

The fully catered, festive event featured guest appearances by Mayor John Marchione and Chris Hoffman, the Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce CEO and president.

The 11,000 square-foot facility, located near the east entrance of Marymoor Park at 17455 NE 67th Court, Suite 160, held a “soft opening” last July. Since then, the club has experienced significant growth, according to Edward Nettles, EBC Founder and Executive Director.

Nettles said back in July there were three boys’ teams with about 40 athletes competing for EBC. The club now has seven teams with just under 150 athletes, Nettles said. And just last week, the club added some new girls’ teams.

“So that is exciting, we are definitely growing,” Nettles said. “As we get ready to launch our spring season, I thought it would appropriate to have a ribbon-cutting ceremony.”

The ribbon-cutting ceremony also celebrated the new club’s new sponsored partnership with Bellevue-based Allied Waste.

“They wanted to align themselves with our mission and our mission is No. 1, supporting the youth in this community through the game of basketball, promoting a healthy lifestyle and asking (youths) to set goals and work hard to achieve those goals. … We wanted to join forces (with Allied Waste) for one mission: supporting the community.”

As part of the partnership, EBC’s sparkling regulation court has been named Allied Waste Court.

Besides a full-court basketball court, the club features a smaller half-court area, a weight room facility, a kids’ play area, a television room, and a athletic apparel retail space.

“We do a little bit of everything,” said Nettles, who said he rents out the basketball court to various community basketball and soccer organizations when his teams are not using the court.

With the sun shining bright, Marchione, surrounded by Nettles and other EBC stakeholders, cut the ribbon with the large scissors wearing a giant smile.

Marchione pointed out that year-round, indoor athletic facilities are in high demand and EBC “helps meet some of our indoor demands.”

For more information about Eastside Basketball Club, visit www.eastsidebasketballclub.com or call (425) 861-8800.