ManitobaBasketball players dribbled down a new court in southwest Winnipeg for the first time on Saturday, just as fans from across Canada took over the city’s downtown for the Canadian Elite Basketball League playoffs this weekend. ‘Perhaps the next superstar in basketball is going to come from right here in Prairie Point’: MP CBC News · Posted: Aug 23, 2025 2:11 PM EDT | Last Updated: 3 hours agoA new basketball court was unveiled at Eaglewood Park in south Winnipeg on Saturday. (Dominique Gauthier/Radio-Canada)Basketball players dribbled down a new court in southwest Winnipeg for the first time on Saturday, just as fans from across Canada took over the city’s downtown for the Canadian Elite Basketball League playoffs this weekend. The new regulation-size court was unveiled at Eaglewood Park — west of Kenaston Boulevard and north of Waverley Street, in the Prairie Point neighbourhood — by sneaker-clad municipal, provincial and federal officials on Saturday morning. The area’s city councillor, Janice Lukes (Waverley West), said given the relatively large youth population in southwest Winnipeg, expanding access to recreation is essential for the area. “To have a facility like this, it’s just going to encourage more kids. It’s going to keep them healthy and active,” Lukes said, adding she hopes to see more courts built across her ward soon. Despite having the largest Winnipeg Minor Basketball Association catchment area in the city, south Winnipeg didn’t have any regulation courts to host games, according to a city press release. Basketball association vice-president Carrissa Reyes said about 300 local kids register for basketball programming in the spring, fall and winter. Up to 28 south Winnipeg teams register for the association’s spring and summer sessions annually. “This is a positive change for our kids to have somewhere to play in the summertime,” Reyes said. Winnipeg Minor Basketball Association vice-president Carrissa Reyes says the new court at Eaglewood Park will make a positive difference for youth basketball players in the area. (Dominique Gauthier/Radio-Canada)The city said the new court cost about $275,000, with money coming from the federal government’s community fund and Winnipeg recreational enhancement program. The city will manage and maintain the facility, according to the release. “We want to make sure there are lots of services for kids to be able to get out and enjoy the beautiful Winnipeg summer and to have access to recreational facilities like this one,” said David Pankratz, the NDP MLA for Waverley. The new court comes just as the Winnipeg Sea Bears prepare to host the Canadian Elite Basketball League playoff finals at Canada Life Centre this weekend. The Calgary Surge, who defeated the Sea Bears 90-79 on Friday night, will battle the Niagara River Lions for the championship title on Sunday evening. The Sea Bears, “who are incredible,” are “just instilling a real passion for youth to play,” said Lukes, pointing to her grey and blue Sea Bears T-shirt as she stood courtside at Eaglewood Park.”Perhaps the next superstar in basketball is going to come from right here in Prairie Point,” said Winnipeg South Liberal MP Terry Duguid, who also attended the event.With files from Radio-Canada
New southwest Winnipeg basketball court a slam dunk for kids with ‘real passion’ to play: councillor
