WINNIPEG, MB - Premier of Manitoba Greg Selinger, City of Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz, NBA Legend Clyde Drexler, Dan Mackenzie General Manager & Vice-President of the National Basketball Association (NBA) of Canada and Jamil Mahmood, Executive Director of the Spence Neighbourhood Association along with a full line-up of NBA entertainment and community members joined this evening to unveil the Magnus Eliason Recreation Centre's refurbished basketball court.The unveiling of the refurbished gymnasium complete with a new basketball court which includes new backboards, wall pads, basketballs, a new table top scoreboard and timer and shot clock is the result of a sponsorship from the National Basketball Association's NBA Cares Program and local sponsor, Manitoba Lotteries.
"Giving our kids safe places to play sports and learn from coaches and other role models is key to building healthy and vibrant communities," said Premier Selinger. "This partnership with NBA Cares will improve this community basketball court and provide kids and families living in this Winnipeg neighbourhood with more opportunities to grow and succeed."
"I want to thank NBA Cares and Manitoba Lotteries for supporting the refurbishment of the basketball court at Magnus Eliason Recreation Centre," said Mayor Katz. "Sponsor Winnipeg provides the means for leisure centres like Magnus Eliason to cement partnerships with like-minded corporate sponsors, creating exciting new opportunities for young people."
In exchange for this sponsorship, the NBA and Manitoba Lotteries will have their logos featured on the court.
Sponsor Winnipeg is a partnership program which provides public-spirited individuals, businesses, corporations, foundations and community groups with opportunities to sponsor a wide variety of City of Winnipeg assets and programs, in return for naming rights, legacy opportunities and other marketing benefits associated with sponsorship of City facilities and services. This program supports the City's commitment to deliver high quality services to the citizens of Winnipeg by generating new revenue sources.
Since the launch of Sponsor Winnipeg, the City has generated over $2 million to enhance civic programs and services.
For more information about Sponsor Winnipeg, visit www.sponsorwinnipeg.ca