New Modular Basketball Court Purchased by Winnipeg Sea Bears and Basketball Manitoba

The Winnipeg Sea Bears and Basketball Manitoba have purchased a new modular basketball court that will replace the current court, which was built in 1955.

Both parties purchased the field from the organizers of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) March Madness women’s basketball tournament. This field, which was last used in Cleveland, Ohio, will replace the Sea Bears’ first season playing surface at the Canada Life Center this summer.

This court is our newest jewel, our new baby here in Manitoba for basketball, says Basketball Manitoba general manager Adam Wedlake.

Sea Bears are here, it gives them a reason to use it and have their athletes play on this type of international level field”,”text”:”Now that the Sea Bears are here it gives them a reason to ‘use and have their athletes play on this type of world-class field”}}”>Now that the Sea Bears are here, it gives them a reason to use it and have their athletes play on this type of world-class court. international level, he said.

He explains that the purchase of the land was largely supported by the Province of Manitoba, through an arts, culture and sports grant, which allowed the Sea Bears and Basketball Manitoba to invest almost 250,000 $ in the acquisition of this playground.

Mr. Wedlake adds that this type of investment from the government and the growing popularity of basketball is something that the sports community greatly appreciates.

There is definitely great momentum for basketball.

A quote from Adam Wedlake, Executive Director of Basketball Manitoba

% in one year”,”text”:”The popularity of youth and adult basketball leagues in Manitoba jumped 30% in one year”}}”>The popularity of youth basketball leagues and adults in Manitoba jumped 30% in one year, he says. The enthusiasm of the people is extraordinary for us.

The need for an upgrade

The old basketball court was first built in 1955 and initially served as a court in Moorhead, Minnesota.

It was then transported to Manitoba in 1967 for the Pan American Games, as detailed in a Sea Bears press release.

It has stood the test of time in every major basketball event that has taken place in Manitoba since that time, says Adam Wedlake.

However, after all these years, the heat and humidity, dust and everything else begins to take its toll.

The challenge is getting these boards to come together and not have curves, angles and knots, says Adam Wedlake.

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The old basketball court was first built in 1955 and initially served as a court in Moorhead, Minnesota.

Photo: Radio-Canada / Mario De Ciccio

There are only so many things we can do to keep him alive.

A quote from Adam Wedlake, Executive Director of Basketball Manitoba

He says the field still had the markings and logos of women’s March Madness when he arrived in Winnipeg.

This is why the land must be completely sanded, he said. Sea Bears.”,”text”:”It will be completely refreshed and will be Sea Bears branded.”}}”>It will be completely refreshed and will be Sea Bears branded.

Attract international events

Adam Wedlake confirms that several NBA teams are equipped with the same court model.

This same coating will be used during the Paris Olympic Games this summer.

Adam Wedlake says this surface is particularly important for safety reasons, because it offers more than just a sheet of wood on top that influences how the ground reacts and adapts to athletes jumping and landing on it.

It is a safe environment for joints and hard falls.

A quote from Adam Wedlake, Executive Director of Basketball Manitoba

He believes that this new ground will above all make it possible to attract larger-scale events which were previously inaccessible.

Sea Bears, nationally and internationally, now that we have this in our possession”,”text”:”It will be an attraction for other events outside of Sea Bears, nationally and internationally, now that we have this “}}”>It will be an attraction for other events outside of the Sea Bears, nationally and internationally, now that we have this in our possession, he says.

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Basketball Manitoba general manager Adam Wedlake says the basketball court boards still had all the markings and logos from the NCAA women’s March Madness championships when he arrived in Winnipeg.

Photo: Radio-Canada / Mario De Ciccio

When you’re trying to organize larger national tournaments, it helps to have a few important assets like this, said Winnipeg Sea Bears president Jason Smith.

The game is growing and becoming a little more mobile in North America. We’re hoping to make offers on a number of things and see if we can get some additional games over the winter, he maintains.

According to him, this new basketball court will help raise the level of play and motivate the Sea Bears team.

Basketball is an important part of the local community, and building a new court is a great opportunity to continue that legacy, he concludes.

With information from Mario De Ciccio

2024-05-07 22:54:18
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