OTHELLO — Construction began at Lions Park in Othello to replace the tennis courts and install a new basketball court this week.

On Thursday afternoon a construction crew was dismantling the tennis courts.

Construction is expected to be complete in about two months.

In early April, the Othello City Council approved spending roughly $560,300 to improve the park.

The money is being used to install a second basketball court parallel to the existing basketball court. A 10 foot strip of walkway will separate the two courts.

The existing tennis courts will be re-paved, re-surfaced and leveled. The courts are made with asphalt and will have a thin coat of acrylic placed on top with a textured surfaced.

Previously there was discussion to dismantle the three-sided handball court to make room for the new basketball court. It was also unclear if the handball courts were used.

Law enforcement reported the site as a target for graffiti and that it’s difficult to see the interior of the court during patrols.

Council chose to leave the handball court because there was enough space for the new basketball court to be installed and because several Othello community members participated in painting the murals on the walls.