The long-awaited outdoor basketball court and tennis/pickle ball court is currently under construction in Blackville. The dual courts, which will be side by side, are located at the old Blackville fairgrounds, 5 Underwood Drive, adjacent to Blackville Ball Park / Centennial Field. Paving is now completed and surveillance cameras have been installed. The project is expected to be completed in mid October.

This project had started when four community youth approached council in August 2017 to discuss upgrades to the skate park and the possibility of a basketball court in the village. The local boys, Mason Donahue, Thomas Dunn, Jaden Vickers and Keaton Walls, spoke in front of Mayor Christopher Hennessy and councillors Amanda Brennan, Ian Fortune, Cindy Ross and Cindy Underhill.

The idea of the basketball court floated around for a few years, when president of the Recreation Council Ian Fortune began canvassing local businesses for donations. The project quickly picked up steam with many businesses, groups and individuals getting on board with monetary donations as well as donations of basketballs. The village also made successful funding applications to the federal and provincial governments, both of which were received in August.

The current village council, Mayor Ian Fortune and councillors Amanda Brennan, Denver Brennan, Cindy Ross and Cindy Underhill have seen the project to completion. Daniel Richard was also heavily involved in fundraising efforts.

In total over $109,000 was raised, passing the initial goal of $105,000. $40,800 from Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (federal), $40,800 from Regional Development Corporation (provincial) and $27,523.88 from donations and fundraising.

Businesses that have donated

$2000
JAC Logging (Jennifer, Allan & Chloe Furlong)

$1000
• Black Brook Salmon Club Inc.
• Cains Energy Services Ltd. (Dave McFarlane)
• Cast Away Grand Lodge
• D&R Onsite Mechanical (Dave Donovan)
• M.E.R. Forestry Ltd. (Steven Moody)
• Renous Convenience Store
• Ron Underhill Trucking
• TCU Transport Ltd.
• The Handyman (Dan Underhill)
• Vickers River Tubing
• White Rapids Logging

$500
• Blackville Trio Pizza
• Ed’s Sub / Pizza Shack Chatham

$365
• Blackville Foodland

$250
• Gray Rock Construction

$150
• Huestis Insurance Group (MacRae Insurance)

$100
• River Signs

Groups that have donated

$1000
• Blackville Health & Wellness Committee

$100
• Thomas Dunn Memorial
• Ty Croft Memorial Fund

Individuals that have donated

$1000
• Agata & Ryan Purcell
• Clem & Naomi Savoie

$500
• John Brophy

$200
• Mike Dawson

$100
• Stephanie & Poncho Gillespie

Challenges

1981 BHS Eagles Challenge
• Ian & Wendy Fortune ($100)
• Terry Singelton ($100)

Fenton Sturgeon Challenge
• Belinda Simpson Geddes ($100)
• Jack LeBlanc ($100)
• Matt Sturgeon ($100)

50/50 Draws

• $280
• $225
• $204