A public basketball court in Saskatoon has been updated with a splash of colour.

Buckets & Borders, a Regina-based non-profit that restores and rebuilds basketball courts across Canada, is officially opening a vibrant new space in Saskatoon’s Buena Vista Park on Saturday afternoon.

The project combines sport, art, and community, with the court itself transformed into a mural designed by local artist Chris Chipak of Red Pheasant Cree Nation.

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Buckets and Borders revamps Saskatoon basketball court

A Saskatchewan non-profit has restored a basketball court in Saskatoon’s Buena Vista park, redesigning it as a place for kids and community to connect.

For his first-ever mural, Chipak wanted to tell a story rooted in Saskatchewan.

“All these shades that we see on the court are variants of colours I see in the sky during northern lights,” he said. “I always draw connections to animals with my art — the bear really represents courage and protection and guidance in the game of basketball.”

He said kids kept popping by to ask questions as he was painting the court.

“It was mostly children and kids who were eye-popping and asking all the questions,” he said. “That for me was really getting me through this whole process.”

A bird's-eye view of a basketball painted in blues, purples and greens. The design includes a stylized bear.A rendering of artist Chris Chipak’s design for the Buena Vista court. (Submitted by Chris Chipak)

Buckets & Borders co-founder Justin Lee said gettting young people involved is what the project is all about.

“Basketball is a beautiful game. It’s one of the most if not the most, inclusive, diverse, accessible games,” Lee said. “No better feeling than seeing the courts being used. I mean, that’s the goal.”

The non-profit has completed more than 25 courts, each one a unique collaboration with local artists and youth, across the country since launching in 2021.

Saturday’s grand opening is scheduled for 4 p.m. CST in Buena Vista Park. There will be free youth programming, a community barbecue, three-point competitions, music and giveaways, including 60 pairs of Puma sneakers.

“It’s really a basketball festival that celebrates everything that we love about the game, from hip-hop to community and competition,” he said.