TORONTO, Ont. (July 27, 2021) -- Today, Mayor John Tory was joined by Councillor Paul Ainslie (Scarborough Guildwood) and Glen Grunwald, President & CEO of Canada Basketball, at Scarborough Village Community Centre to unveil a new outdoor pop-up basketball court. Raptors Superfan and Canada Basketball Global Community Ambassador Nav Bhatia was also present and participated in a ceremonial tip-off with youth Scarborough players.  

The Canada Basketball Foundation and Senior Women’s National Team are giving back to the City of Toronto by creating an outdoor pop-up court which aims to provide local youth a basketball ‘hub’ where they can show their love for the sport of basketball. The City of Toronto and Canada Basketball hope this court, among other initiatives, will offer youth an exciting and safe space to return to sport after what has been a long pause for recreational sport due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following the lead of its partner – the Toronto Raptors – Canada Basketball will be making investments in court infrastructure in Toronto and across Canada in the coming years.  In consultation with the City of Toronto, a space in the parking lot of the Scarborough Village Community Centre was identified as an available location for the Foundation to create an outdoor basketball court and play space for the Scarborough/Guildwood community. The City has provided barricades on loan to create a secured space for children and youth from the community to play safely.

More information about youth and recreation programming in the city is available at: www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/recreation/youth-recreation/

 The Canada Basketball Foundation™ (CBF) is a registered charitable organization dedicated to growing all aspects of the game of basketball. Working directly with Canada Basketball, the Foundation aims to improve the health of the nation through basketball, provide a pathway for excellence for young athletes, and deliver dynamic basketball development that will result in international success.

Quotes:

 “I’m delighted to announce this new partnership between the City of Toronto and Canada Basketball. A big thank you to Canada Basketball on behalf of The Senior Women's National Basketball Team (SWNT), for creating this outdoor pop-up basketball court at Scarborough Village Community Centre, where local youth can now gather and play.”

- Mayor John Tory 

"My office had the pleasure of working with Canada Basketball to identify a site and build this outdoor basketball course for the Scarborough-Guildwood community. I’m excited that we’ve been able to expand recreational space and transform this parking lot into a play space for the community, thanks to Canada Basketball, on behalf of the Senior Women's National Basketball Team.”

- Councillor Paul Ainslie (Scarborough Guildwood) 

"Basketball is all about bringing people together and creating positive experiences. What a great opportunity for Canada Basketball to do just that at the Scarborough Village Community Centre by partnering with the City of Toronto to create this pop-up court.”

- Glen Grunwald, Canada Basketball President & CEO

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