Community News

Blackville Outdoor Basketball Court Fundraising Goal Met; Construction Underway

Photo from the Blackville Community Centre, August 10, 2017. Mason Donahue, Jaden Vickers, Thomas Dunn and Keaton Walls attended the meeting of the Blackville village council to discuss the construction of a basketball court in the community.

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

Miramichi River Valley

Miramichi River Valley

The Rural Community of Miramichi River Valley is governed by an elected council made up of a mayor and six councillors.

Leave a Comment