Fundraiser to memorialize student who died in Australia balcony fall
Prince Albert beach volleyball star, Nigel Weir, died earlier this month in an accident
The loved ones of a Saskatchewan beach volleyball star are raising money online to remember the athlete.
Nigel Weir died earlier this month after falling from a balcony in an accident in Australia.
The 21-year-old from Prince Albert grew up playing volleyball on the prairies. Less than a year ago, Weir travelled to Brisbane, Australia to study at Queensland University where he became the captain of the school's beach volleyball team.
Adam Halyk said Weir was like a little brother.
"There's nothing I would think that Nigel would want more, than to have one of his favourite sports to be available in his community and also have his name incorporated with it," he said.
Halyk, who set up the GoFundMe page, is hoping to raise $60,000 in donations to help build beach volleyball courts in the city.
Halyk explained that community groups and local volleyball coaches were pushing for outdoor courts before Weir died. However, once the accident happened, it felt like the ideal way to honour the young athlete.
"There are coaches that are interested and I know there's going to be young kids interested because basically, you're going to get a beach in town,"Halyk said of the idea.
Halyk said he and a group lobbying for the beach courts plans to meet with the City of Prince Albert later this month to discuss details. He said if all goes well, the plan is to build the courts near Alfred Jenkins Field House in the city.