by Rachael Lesosky
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Valley Voice
Community members, Columbia Basin Trust representatives, and W.E. Graham Community School gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Village of Slocan’s new tennis courts on Oct. 30.
Funded in large part by the Columbia Basin Trust’s Outdoor Community Recreation Grant, the project was spurred by the need to fix up the old court, which was cracked and crookedly situated towards the centre of the block. After receiving the grant in 2022, the Village got to work.
It hired Transformation Developments Contracting to decommission the old fence and break up the degraded asphalt. Selkirk Paving Ltd. removed the debris and got to work on base layers and relocating the court to the south, closer to the street.
Before the court was completed, winter arrived. Volunteers transformed it into an ice rink with an EZ Ice Rink Kit, and community members enjoyed a season of skating.
When the weather warmed, Flexcourt, based out of Quebec, arrived to install the all-weather court surface on Aug. 17, finishing the job on August 20. Arrow Fencing reassembled the fence.
“The public is thrilled with the new court,” said Michelle Gordon, chief administrative officer of the Village.
At the official opening, W.E. Graham students played games, Mayor Jessica Lunn gave a speech, and the community socialized together.
The court is Village-owned, and is managed by the volunteer Outdoor Recreation Committee. When the courts are transformed into a skating rink during the winter months, a volunteer rink crew assists.
The CBT grant was $208,000 and council authorized spending up to $79,250 of COVID Safe Restart funding on the project.