John Bower (white shirt) watches his son, Bruce Bower, cut the ribbon to open the new Johnny Bower Sports Court. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW Staff)

By Logan Lehmann

Waskesiu grand openings

Waskesiu officially opens new sports court, lawn bowling green, and picnic shelter

Jul 1, 2022 | 8:00 AM

The Waskesiu Recreation Association, the Waskesiu Foundation, and other organizations were on hand to open the Johnny Bower sports court, the Stanley Thompson Bowling Green, and the Reel Rave International Film Festival Picnic Shelter in Waskesiu.

On Thursday, approximately 200 people were in attendance to witness the unveiling of two new plaques in the town, one in front of the new sports court to honour hockey goaltending legend Johnny Bower, and the other in front of the new lawn bowling green to honour Canadian golf course architect Stanley Thompson. A barbeque was held for the festivities in the new Reel Rave International Film Festival picnic shelter where they served hamburgers and cold drinks.

Johnny Bower’s family was among those in the crowd and his son, John said that having this sports court named after his father is a great honour for their family.

“My father was always involved with kid’s programs and young people and to see a facility named after him where future generations can come and enjoy, it’s a great honour for the family; To have his name and our family’s name memorialized in the park forever is a wonderful thing. It keeps our family’s name and our family linked with the park forever.”

Chair of Waskesiu Foundation Derwin Arnstead (left) and John Bower unveil the new plaque outside the Johnny Bower Sports Court. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW Staff)

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Multiple representatives from Bowl Saskatchewan were also in attendance to open the new and refurbished Stanley Thompson Bowling Greens.

Brent Hesje, donor and member of the Stanley Thompson Foundation spoke at the unveiling and mentioned that the refurbishing and restorations of the greens will serve the community for generations and provide fun for all ages.

(left to right) Former Bowl Sask. President Rachel Larson, President of the Waskesiu Recreation Association Gary Bender, Derwin Arnstead, Parks Canada Town Site Manager Gregg Rutten, and Brent Hesje unveil the new plaque outside the Stanley Thompson Bowling Green. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW Staff)

With the completion of the sports court and bowling green, the Director of the Waskesiu Foundation and Waskesiu Recreation Association, Jim Kerby said that these new facilities are already proven to be very important in the community.

“What we’ve noticed as we’ve expanded the opportunities here is that you can come on any day of the week and find people of any generation doing something here; From lawn bowling to shuffleboard to mini-golf to outdoor fitness, we cover the whole gamut in terms of ages and opportunities for people to enjoy the great outdoors in one of the best places in the world.”

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logan.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @lloganlehmann