Game-Changer: How Go Auto’s support for Fresh Hoops is transforming outdoor play spaces (and possibilities!) across Edmonton
What happens when community spirit meets corporate generosity and the power of play? You get Fresh Hoops - an initiative changing the way students in Edmonton Public Schools experience recess, recreation, and connection. In playgrounds across Edmonton, students are stepping onto bright new basketball courts that do more than offer a place to play. These revitalized spaces create community, foster belonging, and build self-esteem.
Launched by the Edmonton Stingers, in partnership with the Edmonton Public Schools Foundation and Go Auto, Fresh Hoops is more than a court renovation program - it’s an investment in student well-being. With every refreshed court, Fresh Hoops brings together students, their families and their surrounding communities.
Corporate Giving That Goes the Distance
We recently sat down with Jared Priestner, Principal and Owner of Go Auto, to talk about the company’s support for Fresh Hoops. Through its Go Gives Back program, Go Auto is focused on helping young people succeed by funding initiatives that directly impact their lives. Fresh Hoops checked every box.
For Priestner, supporting Fresh Hoops is a reflection of Go Auto’s values and long-term vision for giving back.
“Fresh Hoops struck a chord,” Priestner said. “We wanted to support something that was tangible and impactful for kids. Something they could see, feel and use every day. The courts are colourful, inviting, and they send a message that someone cares about these kids and their schools.”
“It’s not just about writing a cheque,” he said. “It’s about being part of something that creates a lasting impact. These courts will be here for years. Kids will grow up on them. That’s the kind of change we want to be part of.”
Go Auto’s investment is about more than basketball courts - it’s about building confidence and creating spaces where students feel proud and included.
“We hope this helps kids feel like they matter,” Priestner added. “That their school environment is worth investing in. When you give kids a place they love, it changes how they see themselves.”
More Than a Court
Fresh Hoops transforms well-loved school courts in need of a refresh into dynamic community hubs. These revitalized courts provide students (and their community!) with a vibrant place to play, connect, and dream.
Courts that are updated through Fresh Hoops can receive new poles, backboards, nets and freshly painted court lines and tarmac games! Since launching in 2023, 16 courts have been completed at public schools across Edmonton, with more underway this summer.
Together, the Foundation, Go Auto, and the Stingers are building more than basketball courts. We’re creating safe, inclusive spaces that bring communities together.
Driving Impact Forward
For Priestner, giving back is more than good business; it’s foundational to Go Auto’s identity. As Priestner explained, corporate giving isn’t just a responsibility - it’s a leadership opportunity. He believes business owners have a unique ability to set the tone and rally their teams around meaningful causes.
“When leaders show they care, it gives everyone permission to care,” he said.
“We want our team at Go Auto to feel proud of the work we do in the community. When we support something like Fresh Hoops, it inspires our teams because they see the direct impact. It builds pride internally and reminds everyone that we’re not just selling cars. We’re helping kids, schools, and communities thrive.”
Priestner encourages other business leaders to get involved, not just as donors, but as champions of change who can bring their staff along for the journey. His advice to other business owners is to choose causes that feel authentic, then actively involve staff in the process.
“When your people connect to the purpose, it becomes part of who you are as a company.”
Help Us Keep the Momentum Going
Fresh Hoops is proof that a fresh coat of paint and a new backboard can make all the difference. With your support, we can continue creating spaces that inspire confidence, connection, and joy.
Whether you’re an individual or a business, your donation makes a difference. Let’s keep building something great one court at a time.
Donate today at foundation.epsb.ca/giving/fresh-hoops