Newly renovated Halifax basketball court a slam dunk for north-end children

Grace Campbell gave a big thumbs-up to a newly renovated basketball court that was officially opened Monday in a north-end Halifax neighbourhood.

The 14-year-old was one of dozens of young hoopsters who launched shots and dribbled around the new court at Highland Park Junior High School that was built with the help of a non-profit founded by former Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri.

"The old net sucked. The ball would just bounce off," said Campbell, who plays for the Tri City Vipers basketball club. "These courts are just better. There's more grip for your shoes."

The makeover project was completed with funding assistance from Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Foundation, Sobeys Inc. and Giants of Africa, the organization that Ujiri founded to bring basketball to different communities. 

Giants of Africa primarily focuses on building sports infrastructure in Africa, but the organization has also constructed three courts in historically Black neighbourhoods in Canada — two in Toronto and this one in Halifax's north end.

It cost around a half-million dollars to build. 

The court has a new acrylic floor along with new nets, bleachers and fencing. The floor is painted with bright colours, a stark contrast to the dark asphalt that tops most other city basketball courts.

Melanie Danna, senior director of Giants of Africa, said this court is an acknowledgment of the "profound historical connection" that the Halifax neighbourhood has to Africa.

"This space will allow young people to develop not just their athletic skills, but their leadership abilities, confidence, sense of pride and unity," Danna said at Monday's opening ceremony. "The court will allow them to dream big."

Trumaine Izzard, whose three sons have all played on the old Highland Park school court, was happy to see the facility upgraded.

The new softer floor will be less stressful on children's knees and ankles, he said, and will allow them to "really go 100 per cent without slipping and falling."

But beyond the practical benefits, Izzard said he understands how much basketball means to people in Halifax's north end and he sees the new court becoming a staple for the neighbourhood. 

"I know the community is really appreciative of the court," he said. "It's a brand new court that the kids can come and enjoy. I find that's really great."