There were different ideas for the space, and they eventually settled on basketball courts. What they developed was a court of a slightly wider than normal shape. With two hoops it can be used for one full court game or two half court ones. This makes it very usable both during breaks during school hours and after classes are finished.
Interesting additions are the bleachers. Janssens said they received funding from the Boissevain & Morton Foundation to put them in as a part of the project, with a space in between for those with mobility issues. This will allow for people to watch the action on the court, and also just enjoying each other during good weather.
“They can go and hang out,” she explained, “It is a place to sit and be together, enjoy the fresh air.”
With the basketball on the east side, there is also the pickleball court on the west. The committee was applying for grants for the basketball when the pickleball came up. The growing sport had local enthusiasts, and they jumped on the fundraising wagon. With two courts, this adds another element that will attract people to the area.
“The location is so great. It’s close to the campground, the pool, the ice cream shop. It’s another thing to bring people to community. If the kids are swimming, the older kids can play basketball, the parents can play pickleball. It makes everything better.”
They had to fill cracks in the concrete and do some surfacing on the old tennis courts to make the project happen, and Janssens said they were happy with how that turned out. They were able to extend that to the west a little so the younger kids hoops in the area saw a ground improvement. As well, Turtle Mountain School Division replaced broken sidewalk with asphalt, which improved accessibly.
The projected cost of the second phase is about $91,543, which the committee has. They were able to sell all of the squares for the basketball court and were very successful with donations. The Boissevain Lions donated $9,000 for basketball and pickleball courts. ADAMA donated $5,000, the Foundation added more and others like Scott Brothers Livestock and Hazlewood Drugs chipped in as well.
With completion on the horizon, Janssens said they are hearing from the students.
“Yes, they’re asking when it will be done, ‘why can’t we play on it now?’” Janssens said. “It’s getting there. Hopefully there will still be a month of good weather to use it before the snow flies.”
The committee was created several years ago to replace the old middle years playground on the south side of the school. This was completed in 2025, with a brand new structure put up. They committed to help revitalize other parts of the school outdoors and phase two is nearly done. Phase three is upcoming.
The plan is to redo the primary area to the west of the high school spot. Janssens said they have already started. They are reaching out to designers, looking at different ideas to maximize the space and build something fantastic. With the middle years spot, they looked to be inclusive of those with mobility challenges. For the primary, they would like to go farther, to have equipment students in wheelchairs could use and have fun like everyone else.
This phase will be more costly, with the committee looking to raise around $250,000. At this point, they are in good shape, with nearly $100,000 as a nest egg. More fundraising is planned. Right now, they are starting their dirt bike raffle. Kindergarten to grade four students are selling tickets on three dirt bikes – donated by Rocky Mountain Equipment. Everything raised will go to the primary project.
Janssens said their hope is that it can be built in the summer of 2027.
With two thirds of the overall commitment nearly done, the committee can look back at an incredible achievement thus far. Janssens said it has been a lot of work, but when she sees how well the middle years playground has been enjoyed, she sees the importance of the work. They have also been very heartened by the response of the community of Boissevain. She said others have asked them how they were able to move so quickly and successfully, and they replied they had the support of the people.
“Everybody has been so great,” she said, adding they are looking for new people to join the committee for the primary playground, “I think the people in Boissevain are always willing to support something to make things better. People in Boissevain just jump on board. It’s really made it all work.”
Laura Vandoorne has stepped up to lead the primary portion and anyone interested in helping out can contact her at 204-402-0068.
by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff