Those who’ve driven along Massey Drive lately may have noticed that construction is underway at Carrie Jane Gray Park for the new Jumpstart Multisport Court.
Located across form Fire Hall No. 1, it will be a new fully-accessible park that will be set up for basketball, volleyball, hockey, tennis, pickle ball, badminton, hop-scotch and four square.
Crews are currently landscaping and working on the irrigation system.
Back in 2022, city council earmarked $475,000 and The Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charity contributed $950,000 to get the project built.
The Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charity contacted the City of Prince George in spring 2021 and proposed building an inclusive play project in the community.
Founded in 2005, Jumpstart Charities work with municipalities across Canada to build facilities that help children overcome financial and accessibility barriers to sport and recreation.
The charity agreed to build the court and contribute $950,000 (initially valued at $500,000 in 2021) in associated construction services, equipment, and materials.
In February 2023, the City and Jumpstart also entered into a gift agreement that summarized each partner’s construction responsibilities, addresses annual maintenance requirements.
The City’s financial commitment, which is drawn from reserve provincial grant money awarded several years back, went towards demolition and removal of existing site materials and amenities, geotechnical investigations to confirm site suitability, site grading, landscaping, pedestrian walkway and site security.
