It was an emotional day as family and friends of Eli Jashyn were among the crowd that celebrated the grand opening of the multi-sport court in Morris last week.
Incorporated into the new facility is a bench in memory of Eli, who passed away from cancer in 2022 at the age of 15. He would have graduated high school with his peers this past week.
"It's special to have a lasting memory," said Eli's sister, Emilie. "He loved to play outside. We live near here so it's good to have something that is very close to home, in both ways. So, there's something physical and there's something that we can come and do just to spend time remembering him in a way."
"He made such a big impact on so many people, and it's so cool that there's something everyone can come to and everyone can enjoy. I just think that's incredible," added Eli's other sister, Abigail.
Emilie added, Eli was a light in the community.
"(He was) happy all the time, no matter the situation."
The remaining financial donations the family received during Eli's battle were donated to the multi-sport court effort after he passed. Money raised from a fund-raising BBQ for the project were also redirected to Eli's family, which they put back into the project after his passing as well.
"This is what he would have wanted," added Abigail.
Charity Paracholski was a friend of Eli's and spoke at the multi-sport court grand opening.
"It means a lot. That way he will always be remembered. He would have graduated with us so it's nice to have something to remember him by," she said.
"I know that if he was still here, he'd be using these courts every single day," said Darci Epp, Eli's best childhood friend. "It's just really special that he can be remembered here and honoured as people use the courts," she added, getting choked up.
Another bench, in memory of Tyrelle Darling, was also erected at the courts.
