The Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sports and the Department of Youth Sports and Recreation are excited to announce the restoration of the basketball courts at Shelly Bay and Olive Bank, the latter better known as Jones’ Village Community Field.
The Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation established a partnership with the MoonGate Group and its CEO, Mr. Leon Bascome, a well-known local athlete and basketball enthusiast, to invest in newly fabricated metal backboards, rims and signage for each of the courts.
The MoonGate Group believes in supporting the development of the youth of Bermuda through Academics, Arts and Sports. This is just another community initiative that they have helped to bring into fruition.
Mr. Bascome added that: “it is quite gratifying that we are able to give back Bermuda in this manner. I am from Hamilton Parish and grew up running countless laps around Shelly Bay Field; thus, it is only natural for me to invest in my own community. I was very excited to see the courts used by the kids, the very next day after installation! I would like to thank the Minister of Community Affairs and Sports Dr. Earnest Peets and Dr. Freddy Evans for their shared vision, the Dept of Youth Sport & Recreation, Dept of Parks, and Chantel Simons of MoonGate for collectively making this happen.”
The restoration of these courts are a cornerstone of the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sports and the Department of Youth Sports and Recreation’s efforts to ensure that the Bermuda Public have clean, safe recreational space to share and enjoy.
It is envisioned that community groups and National Governing Bodies like Bermuda Basketball Association and the Bermuda Netball Association will have the opportunity to arrange youth and young adults, training, games and tournaments on these courts.
Hamilton Parish and neighboring parishes and communities frequently utilize Shelly Bay for sports and family events; this is a welcome addition. The Olive Bank project will see it return to the neighborhood stature that it once held, for the Jones Village Community and families of Warwick Parish to enjoy.
For further information about MoonGate, please visit moongatebda.bm, FaceBook or Instagram.
