Madin Hoey and Gillis Cook, both in Grade 8, test out the new basketball court at Westview School. (Susan McNeil/paNOW Staff)

By Susan McNeil

James Isbister play

The ball is in the James Isbister court

Sep 14, 2022 | 5:03 PM

Children in the West Flat area have some new options for fun with the completion of a basketball court and skate park at Westview School.

City officials and Canadian Tire owner Malcolm Jenkins – who donated $200,000 – joined students and staff at the school on Tuesday.

“You don’t realize the dream until it’s come to fruition like this. It’s terrific,” said Jenkins. “The skate park is being used, there’s more equipment going too, but at this time we wanted to get it open so the kids could use it this fall.”

Lights will be installed at the James Isbister Park next to the school in the next month or so, allowing the area to be continuously lit.

The idea of having the upgrades is to improve the health of the children and all users.

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Along with the skate park and basketball courts, the schoolyard also has a splash park which helps balance out the facilities for children in that part of the city, Jenkins said.

Jenkins and Canadian Tire have donated to multiple facilities that promote physical activity around the city.

“I’m getting up there. I don’t have long to go so I’d sooner not be the richest guy in the graveyard. You can’t take it with you,” he said. “And it feels good. It’s a lot better giving it away than it was making it.”

Tim Yeaman, Parks Manager for the City, said it has been a busy year when it comes to his department.

“We were a little optimistic when we said everything would be ready for the July long weekend,” he said.

Meeting that deadline did not happen but Yeaman said having a quality finished product is more important anyway.

The skatepark has been uniquely set up inside a Musco Mini-Pitch, which has benches, lockable storage, and beverage storage containers.

The Mini-Pitch allows people to look through the skate park and see the people using it, which also increases safety, Yeaman said.

“It actually does add a level of security so when parents are out looking for their kids, they can see how they’re interacting and what they’re up to,” he said.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com