Community groups and municipalities have come together to help fund a multi-sport revitalization project at Pontiac High School.
The Shawville Lions Club donated $7,500, Shawville Rotary Club $5,000, the Municipalities of Clarendon and Shawville $5,000 and the Maisons des Jeunes $1,000. The Western Quebec School Board will be providing the rest of the needed funding.
The money will be put towards renovating the existing tennis courts on the Pontiac High School grounds. While three . . .
courts are currently located on school property, only one is functional as the other two have deteriorated since their initial construction.
The two non-functional courts will be retrofitted into multisport recreational infrastructure. The existing, functional court will be left as is.
Pontiac High School Physical Education teacher Darcy Findley says the redesign will allow for various court-style games to be played.
“With the project completed, there’ll be three courts to play tennis, and two to play pickleball, badminton, ball hockey and basketball,” Findley said. “It really opens up the usable space.”
While the courts will be for use by students during school hours, they will also be available for use by the public outside of these hours.
“Anything we can do for the kids,” said Shawville Mayor Bill McCleary, explaining why the municipality wanted to be involved in the project. “Keep them occupied and keep them out of trouble.”
Shawville Lions Club President Terry Campbell explained that community incentives like the multi-sport revitalization project are important for improving quality of life for residents.
“That’s what makes it all a home. That’s what encouraged people to come and that’s what encouraged people to stay here. You know, it’s not just a place to have your house. It’s an actual home. There’s things to do. There’s things to participate in. There’s things to be involved in,” Campbell said.
According to Findlay, acquiring funding for the multi-sport revitalization project has been an almost two-year process. Construction will begin at the end of June and will likely be completed by the start of the school year.
“We’re very thankful to everybody that’s been part of this, helping it move forward,” Findley said.
Connor Lalande
Shawville June 3, 2023
