There will be a free public grand opening for the newly restored sand volleyball court at Fay Bainbridge Park.

The event is planned for 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4.

The opening serve will go on at 6:30 p.m., and light snacks and beverages will be provided.

This project was a public/private venture between the Bainbridge Island Metropolitan Park & Recreation District, the Bainbridge Island Parks Foundation and Hemphill Brothers, Inc., park district officials said in a recent announcement.

“Members of the volleyball community had been asking for a new court for some time until Hemphill Brothers, Inc. reached out to donate professional grade sand to us,” said Park Services Director Dan Hamlin. “They made this project possible and even better than we had anticipated.”

Park district staff excavated the pit, helped with installation of sand and installed components. The Bainbridge Island Parks Foundation supplied a grant for a new net. A donation of sand worth $30,000 by Hemphill Brothers, Inc. ultimately made the project possible.

Hemphill Brothers, Inc. is a fourth-generation family business, and the owners have lived on Bainbridge Island since 1947. Hemphill Brothers, Inc. owns Lane Mountain Company, a sand operation in eastern Washington, where the sand came from.

“For some time now, our company has desired to give back to the island community in some tangible way. Donating the sand to the beach volleyball court at Fay Bainbridge Park was the perfect opportunity,” said Luke Hemphill, president of Hemphill Brothers.

“Thanks to the hard work and effort of Dan Hamlin, David Harry and the parks staff, this is likely the nicest beach volleyball court in Kitsap County and it makes a great addition to Fay Bainbridge Park,” he added.