Lopez Island High School senior raises more than $2,500 to restore Keaton’s Basketball Court
Published 1:30 am Thursday, July 2, 2026
Lopez Island High School senior Saskia Fischer Downey has raised more than $2,500 through a GoFundMe campaign to support the restoration and preservation of Keaton’s Basketball Court, a popular community gathering place in the heart of Lopez Village.
The court has been a significant part of Fischer Downey’s life, serving as a place where she has played basketball nearly every day for the past four years. Through her senior project, she aims to improve and maintain the facility for future generations.
Planned improvements include adding concrete, repainting court lines, constructing a basketball storage shed, supplying basketballs, replacing nets, cleaning backboards, installing a trash can and establishing a maintenance fund to support future upkeep and equipment replacement.
In addition to physical improvements, the project seeks to honor the legacy of Keaton Farris, a Lopez Island native and accomplished student-athlete who excelled in football, basketball, and track and field, competing at the state level during his athletic career. Farris died at age 25 on April 7, 2015, from dehydration while being held at Island County Jail in Coupeville, Washington.
According to Fischer Downey’s fundraiser, the project also aims to raise awareness of Farris’ story and his impact on the Lopez Island community.
Photos documenting the project and planned improvements are available through the public GoFundMe fundraiser page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/restore-keatons-court. Community members interested in supporting the project can learn more and contribute through the fundraiser.
For additional information, contact fundraiser organizer Saskia Fischer Downey through the GoFundMe campaign page.
