‘A place where they can dream big’: New basketball court opens in Halifax

A new basketball court in Halifax officially opened on Monday.

A new basketball court has officially opened in Halifax’s North End.

Highland Park Junior High School Park is now home to the third court in Canada to be built by Giants of Africa, a foundation co-funded by former Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri.

Representatives from Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Foundation (MLSEF), Phoenix Youth Programs and Sobeys Inc., also contributed to the new court, and were a part of Monday’s unveiling.

“We couldn’t be happier to be in a community with such a rich history as well as a rich basketball community,” says Tanya Mruck, the vice-president of social impact and community engagement with the MLSEF. “We know that building courts not only provides access for youth to play the game we love, but it’s also a gathering space, a place where kids can come and be proud of, a place where they can dream big.”

Maurice James, the community programs director with Phoenix Youth Programs and a former student of the school, says the court represents more than just basketball.

“It represents connection. It represents belonging and it represents a sense of safety. And that’s much bigger than basketball,” says James. “And more importantly, the court represents a dream. A place where hope, desire and purpose is born. While the sport itself is not the dream, it does, however, bring the dream for many hoopers one step closer to reality.”

Giants of Africa has built 40 basketball courts in 11 countries to date.

Representatives say the court’s strategic placement in Halifax’s North End is an ode to the area’s strong African Nova Scotian community.

“In a community with profound historical connection to the African continent, we wanted to acknowledge that part of the Canadian history,” says Melanie Danna, the strategy and operations senior director with Giants of Africa. “This space will allow young people to develop not just their athletic skills, but their leadership abilities, confidence, a sense of pride and unity. And most importantly, this court will allow them to dream big.”

Students at the school say the $400,000-project was a much-needed investment into the community.

“Because some (people) like basketball, but they have nowhere to train,” says Zaibaria Beals, a Grade 7 student at Highland Park Junior High.

“It’s an investment in young people. It’s an investment in opportunity. It’s an investment in a neighborhood that has always been a cornerstone of the African Nova Scotia culture and resilience that we’re known for,” says Mayor Andy Fillmore. “These upgrades are going to benefit the children and students at Highland Park, for sure, but beyond that, more youth across the North End and across our city, in a place where social mobility is such a large proportion of our population.”

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