Streetball is back, baby!
It wasn’t long ago the asphalt at Queen Square’s outdoor basketball court was coated in a layer of white powder – and that doesn’t mean protein powder, or any other white powders you may be thinking of.
Fredericton saw a high of 16 degrees Monday – and with clear skies and relatively low wind levels, some hoopers who’d been held off the courts over the winter months were able to get back to what they love.
“I’m just happy to get back to playing outside,” said Logan Aalders, a kinesiology student who says he spends a few hours per day, three-to-four days per week at Wilmot or Queen Square during the spring and summer months.
“If the weather’s nice, I’d rather be balling outdoors,” he added.
David Cheng, who was among the group Aalders was playing with, said the group had been playing for just over two hours, and had been joined earlier by a group of skateboarders who decided to take a break to play ball.
“I went hiking earlier today and I’m thinking maybe a barbeque with the guys after,” said Cheng, adding that he wants to spend as much time as possible appreciating the New Brunswick spring weather before he begins a round-the-world backpacking trip in a few days.
Currently, only the Queen Square court is cleared off for the summer – the courts at Wilmot Park are still covered in snow.
“I’d rather be at Wilmot where they have a real three-point line,” said Zach Stewart, another member of the group playing at Queen Square, “but I’d also rather play here than play at the Currie Centre and slide five feet every step I take.”
As is, the basketball court and the adjacent pickleball courts at Queen Square are the only outdoor recreation facilities in usable condition on the southside – however the rest will follow.
“I play basketball because that’s how I like to get my physical activity. Some people would rather play tennis, or soccer, or baseball, or lawn bowling, and their needs are no more or less important than mine,” said Aalders.
In addition to being a space for physical health, the re-opening of these outdoor facilities has influenced its users’ mental health.
“I can already feel my seasonal depression fading,” said Simon Jackson, a student and former rugby player at the University of New Brunswick, who added, “it was so nice earlier, we were playing shirts versus skins!”
“This is my outlet,” said Aalders. “Whether I’m playing with people or just shooting around, basketball clears my mind.”
With the weather warming up and the snow melting more and more by the day, it won’t be long before recreation enthusiasts are getting out and doing what they love.
Streetball was one of the first activities to become possible this summer, but bikers and hikers are also beginning to ditch their heavy boots and fat bikes for summer attire.
“I’ll still go in the winter here or there, but hiking is just so much more fulfilling in the summer,” said Cheng.
Tennis, baseball, and softball enjoyers will be basking in the sun in short order, and hockey players are beginning to ditch their blades for wheels in order to disrupt subdivision traffic.
Summer, streetball, and outdoor recreation are slowly returning, and those that enjoy these hobbies, like Aalders and Cheng, are excited to make their next few months both active and fun.
