Sign recognizing the Jaimie Bonnell Memorial Courts at the Blenheim Youth Centre. (Submitted photo)Sign recognizing the Jaimie Bonnell Memorial Courts at the Blenheim Youth Centre. (Submitted photo)
Chatham

Blenheim Youth Centre's sports courts to be named in honour of Jaimie Bonnell

Going forward, the backyard courts at the Blenheim Youth Centre (BYC) will be known as the Jaimie Bonnell Memorial Courts.

The youth centre dedicated the volleyball and basketball courts to the teen's memory for her "passion for sports, her community, and her plans to work with youth and make a difference."

Jaimie was killed in a single-vehicle crash in December 2023 and her father, Dave, said that it's been a tough time for their family but the community that they have so avidly supported has rallied around them to help.

"My wife Chris and I were both very humbled by this gesture," he told CK News Today, noting that the announcement was unexpected.

"We had no idea this was happening," Dave said, adding that the amount of time Jaimie spent around the BYC makes the dedication a bit less surprising, though.

"Jaimie helped so much around the BYC, like she was always wanting to help me with the fundraising and everything... she always helped me with the barbeques..." Her dad shared. "Whatever she could do to help with the community, she was always wanting to step in and get her hands dirty."

Dave called the dedication heartwarming.

"We're glad that Jaimie's going to be remembered in such a fun way," he added.

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