When Graham Williams was nine years old, he wrote a letter to Puslinch council expressing the need for a basketball court in his neighbourhood in Arkell.
Two years later, on Oct. 22, that dream became a reality when the Optimist Club of Puslinch and community members got together to officially open the new court at Boreham Park.
“Graham decided that what they needed in this park was to have a basketball court, so he took it upon himself to write a letter to council to see if he could get them to sponsor it,” said Ken Williams, Puslinch Optimist and Graham’s grandfather.
“Everybody in my neighbourhood wanted to play basketball, with nowhere really to play,” said Graham.
Added Ken, “[The township] didn’t have any money available, so they passed the letter on to the Optimist Club and asked us if we would be interested in driving it.”
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| Graham and Ken Williams at the new court.
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The Optimists did take on the project and proceeded to look for contractors and materials, much of which was donated.
“It’s been a great project,” said Ken, adding the community came out to help with the project in many ways.
“What it says on the sign is that this was built for the community by the community – and it truly was.”
Ken said the project would have cost around $50,000, but many of the hours and supplies were donated.
“I’m really glad, because we can use it for things that are more than basketball, like we could play hockey on it, and we could do a lot more things,” said Graham.
Puslinch Mayor Dennis Lever, councillors, suppliers, contractors and Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott were on hand for the grand opening.
“We are very, very lucky to have the Optimist Club in Puslinch,” said Lever.
“They got a hold of the project, Graham initiated it … brought other people into it and what you see behind you is the end result.”
Lever said the basketball court is a fabulous addition to the neighbourhood.
“I’m a big proponent [of things] that get kids out of the house and play, away from video games, away from phones,” he said.
The community ended the grand opening festivities with a pick-up game between children and adults and dignitaries.
