Camilla Faragalli, reporter

Funded by the Local Journalism Initiative

Pontiac High School (PHS) is celebrating the official completion of its new multi-sport court project.
Several of the projects various benefactors, along with Shawville mayor, Bill
McCleary, gathered at the school on Friday to mark the occasion.
“You can actually play tennis, pickleball, badminton, volleyball, basketball
and road hockey all on the same court now,” said Darcy Findlay, the
school’s physical education teacher and one of the project’s key
organizers.
According to Findlay, the courts will be fully accessible to the community.
“Anyone is more than welcome to come and use it at any time,” Findlay said,
emphasizing how projects between school and community are essential for
regional development.
“They provide opportunity and reason for young
families to move here,” he said, “They showcase a possible lifestyle,
and the facilities and recreational opportunities that we can provide
them.”
The project was started about two years ago, during the
pandemic. “I think it’s a long time coming for us to do something with
it,” said Holly Anabelle Smith, a student at PHS, adding that the tennis
court that had existed there previously was old, cracked and in
disrepair.
Cade Kuehl, another student at PHS, said he believes the outdoor basketball courts in particular will get a lot of use.
“I think it’s awesome to see new stuff coming in the community, and being
able to hang out outside is great, rather than being cooped up like we
have been for the past few years,” he added.
Roughly $100,000 went into the project, which was funded by the Shawville Lions Club ($7,500),
the Municipality of Shawville ($5,000), the Municipality of Clarendon
($5,000), the Shawville Rotary and the Maison des Jeunes ($1,000). The
remaining balance was covered by the Western Quebec School Board.