Morris residents cut the ribbon last Friday on the community’s new multi-sport courts.
Spearheading the project to rebuild the old basketball courts at Morris School into something more for the community was husband-wife duo Susan Chartier and Gilles Buisson, who were inspired by similar projects in other communities.
It was community support that made it all possible, stressed Chartier, who heads up the Red River Wellness Committee that was formed to tackle the project once it was given the go-ahead by the Red River Valley School Division. The total cost of the brand new courts came in at $233,175, all covered by donations, grants, and funds from the provincial government.
“Forty-six per cent came from donations, individuals, businesses, and organizations,” Chartier shared.
“Our project was fully funded in 2023 and finally completed in late 2024,” she noted. “The unique skill of our committee made it possible. We had someone good at marketing, someone took on grant writing and others did fundraising. It happened so fast because of them.”
Fred Kelesnik, a retired teacher at the Morris School and a member of the committee, had a hand in creating the original court space some 40 years earlier, and he was one of the people holding scissors to slice the ribbon last week.
“This is fantastic,” he said. “I find it heartwarming when I drive by and see kids playing basketball.”
Mike Watson, principal of Morris School and a project committee member, described the benefits of expanding the number of courts.
“The school will use this facility every day and all day. It adds availability options,” he said. “I was out here coaching flag football one evening and kids were shooting hoops. It is a definite upgrade from Mr. K’s old court.”
In addition to financial support, the community also stepped up with other resources. Red View Farms offered aggregate to create a foundation for the court pad. The initial plan had material to support the concrete pad being trucked in from north of Winnipeg, but the costs, including transportation, were considerable. Dirt from just four kilometres up the road at the farm’s gravel pit was the ideal replacement material.
During the grand opening speeches, Chartier also recognized a contribution from another local family.
“Our most heart felt donation was the memorial funds from a Morris student’s funeral service. Truly amazing,” she said..
The project includes two benches created in the school’s metal shop. The organizers dedicated them to Eli Jashyn and Tyrelle Darling, students who would have graduated this year had they not passed away.
Eli’s sisters, Emilie, and Abigail Jashyn, with their friend Charity Paracholski, spoke at the ribbon cutting, describing their brother and the significance of the benches.
“He loved sports. It is special having a lasting memory close to home,” said Abigail.
