Quinn's Court: Ridgeway Elementary School

“What’s the Q?” School District officially opens the new Quinn’s Court at May 5th Ridgeway Elementary Centennial Celebration

NORTH VANCOUVER, April 27, 2012—At 11 a.m on Saturday, May 5th, the North Vancouver Board of Education will host a ribbon-cutting for the new Quinn’s Court at Ridgeway Elementary School. The event launches Ridgeway’s annual spring fair and Centennial Celebration—recognizing the school’s place in the community for the past 100 years.

The ribbon-cutting celebrates the generous gift of the Quinn Keast Foundation to help fund the creation of a new basketball court on the grounds of Ridgeway Elementary. The centre court features a “Q” incorporated into the lines— in memory of Quinn Keast, a remarkable young man and an exceptional Handsworth student and basketball star who died, in 2006, as a result of a tragic accident. Since that time the Keast family, and their many friends and supporters, have gone to great lengths to keep Quinn’s memory and inspiration alive, and to enrich the lives of others through the power of sport.

“We’re deeply appreciative of this generous gift to Ridgeway from the Quinn Keast Foundation,” says Franci Stratton, chair of the North Vancouver Board of Education. “The Q in centre court not only honours the memory of a great student and athlete, it also symbolizes the positive contribution community organizations can make to our schools.”

“Ridgeway spans an entire block in the City of North Vancouver, and our school grounds provide valuable playspace to the neighborhood,” says Aline Burlone, principal of Ridgeway Elementary. “Every day we see children playing on the new court. Now they know the story and meaning behind the Q.”

The ribbon-cutting event will welcome members of the North Vancouver Board of Education along with the Keast family, City of North Vancouver Mayor Darrell Mussatto and generations of players from the local basketball community. 

“Quinn believed in living life to the fullest, with no regrets,” says his mother Jan Keast. “Sport, particularly basketball, brought him great friendships, fulfillment and happiness. This Quinn’s Court offers the same experience to the students here, and the surrounding community. Thank you to everyone who helped make it happen.”

 The North Vancouver School District includes 25 elementary schools and 6 secondary schools, a distributed (online) learning school and a residential outdoor education centre. Over 16,000 students are currently enrolled in the School District for the 2011/12 school year.

The Quinn Keast Foundation administers and enhances the Quinn Keast Memorial Scholarship Fund. The Fund was accumulated through donations from generous friends, family and members of the basketball and sporting community.  “Quinn’s Courts” are an extension of the Foundation’s work to create basketball and sporting opportunities for students and communities.