The new face of a North End basketball court
A North End basketball court has received a vibrant facelift thanks to a national non-profit organization and Winnipeg's new professional basketball team.
The outdoor court at St. John's Park in Winnipeg has received new backboards, nets, and a resurfacing of the asphalt hardtop. The court has also been beautifully painted by a local Indigenous artist.
The project was initiated by Buckets & Borders, a charitable organization founded in Saskatchewan. CEO Justin Lee said its part of a national partnership with Canada Basketball.
"We have a partnership with the initiative to build basketball courts and tell basketball stories across the country, so this project really wouldn’t be possible without Canada Basketball," Lee said.
Lee says Buckets & Borders uses the sport of basketball as a means to improve communities and bring people together. He said local leaders in Winnipeg's basketball community urged them to restore the St. John's court.
"We really just thought it was the perfect fit for our mandate, and we're really happy that we came here," said Lee.
Indigenous artist Jordan Stranger was commissioned to design and paint the court surface.
"They had a call for submissions for the St. John's court design, and I whipped something up and ended up getting it," Stranger said.
Stranger said the project had more meaning for him because he's from the area. "I grew up here, spent a lot of time here," he said. "I thought it was important to spread that message of love which I always try to spread with my artwork."
Jason Smith, president of the Winnipeg Sea Bears, said the team has been wanting to partner in community events since they began playing professional basketball in Winnipeg this past spring.
"It’s a huge thing for this community, and I think for Winnipeg in general, to start refurbishing some of these inner city courts," said Smith.
He said Buckets & Borders did most of the work. "We have played a very small role in this, all the credit really goes to them. But we're thrilled either way to be involved," Smith said.
The Sea Bears have agreed to clean the court in the spring and replace the mesh as needed. The team will also be running community basketball camps at the St. John's court next spring.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
DEVELOPING Live updates from the Trump hush money trial: Stormy Daniels, bookkeeper testify
Adult film star Stormy Daniels is on the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
B.C. wildfires likely to spread with weekend temperatures expected to soar, province says
Wildfire and emergency management officials in British Columbia are urging residents to be prepared for increased fire activity as temperatures are expected to soar above 30 C in parts of the province this weekend.
Listowel, Ont. football player drafted, despite only three years of experience
A Listowel, Ont. man, drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats last week, is also getting looks from the NFL, despite only playing 27 games of football in his life.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.