NORWICH – Despite earlier concern regarding a lack of volunteers and the parks still under renovation, Gus Macker is ready for its 16th year in Norwich this weekend.

The Gus Macker 3-on-3 basketball tournament brings thousands of people to Norwich each July. This year, there will be 421 teams participating according to Macker director Tom Revoir.

Revoir had announced last week that the number of referees, or Gus Busters, was well under their goal. However, after reaching out to the community, Norwich rose to the occasion jumping from only 40 volunteer referees to nearly 65 as of Wednesday. “We’re getting a lot closer,” he said.

The condition of the downtown parks also created some uncertainty among people who wondered where all of the other events would be taking place. Revoir assures that the renovations will not impede the proceedings of the weekend and commends those responsible. “Hats off to Friends of the Park for what they have done to improve the look of Norwich,” he said. The food court and all of the events both kids and adults have come to love will still be available.

For example, the Tom Schwan Memorial Kids Court will again be set up in the Frontier parking lot and will be raising money for Relay for Life. Two bounce houses and several Little Tykes baskets will also be set up for the youngest of basketball fans.