MLSE Team Up Foundation Unveils New Court at Variety Village

Court is one of three facility refurbishments this month by MLSE Team Up Foundation

Toronto Raptors players and members of the National Wheelchair Basketball Team were on hand Thursday to unveil and celebrate the refurbishment of Variety Village's basketball court by the Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) Team Up Foundation with support from Rogers Communications. The $120,000 investment toward a new FIBA regulated hardwood centre court will provide the Canadian National and Provincial wheelchair basketball teams a place to train and inspire the Village's grassroots program.

"MLSE and our Team Up Foundation believe in the importance of community and giving back in ways that create opportunities for young people and promote sport," said Tom Anselmi, executive vice-president and chief operating officer, MLSE. "This refurbishment should provide countless hours of excitement and serve as an inspiration for an entire generation of young basketball players."

Festivities also included basketball clinics facilitated by Raptors players and National Wheelchair Basketball team members for both wheelchair and able-bodied participants of Variety Village's youth teams.

"Variety Village is extremely grateful to MLSE Team Up Foundation for giving us the means to provide even more opportunities to children with disabilities," said John Willson, CEO of Variety Village. "The new court also provides us with the prospect of hosting national and international events."

Over the past four years, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment and the MLSE Team Up Foundation have invested and contributed to 25 city-owned facility refurbishments. Rogers Communications has supported the MLSE Team Up Foundation's court refurbishments since 2006, having previously participated in refurbishments at the John Innes Community Centre and O'Connor Community Centre.

Refurbishments at two other sites will also be unveiled this month as part of a series of community building activities the MLSE Team Up Foundation will be conducting as it builds up to the its inaugural One4One Event on March 28. On March 15, the MLSE Team Up Foundation unveiled enhancements to the City of Toronto's investment in the Angela James Arena with a $250,000 donation to replace the dasher boards, provide new skate matting, create a women's dressing room and upgrade the current dressing rooms.

The Angela James Arena is the MLSE Team Up Foundation's 25th refurbishment and special guests Hockey Hall of Famer Angela James, Leafs Alumni Wendel Clark, Mike Gartner and Dick Duff will be on hand to celebrate the milestone. In addition to the public skate, there will be an autograph session by Alumni, the Leafs FanZone, Hockey Hall of Fame exhibits and snacks.

The Toronto Marlies will hold a Community Practice at Burnhamthorpe Community Centre Rink on March 21 to celebrate the announcement of the Team Up Foundation's $25,000 investment in the facility. The event begins at noon with a Marlies practice followed by a full team autograph session. There will also be entertainment and activities for kids.