The on-going trade war with the United States has brought about a new sense of patriotism in Canadians when it comes to supporting their country and it’s heritage. One group in St. Stephen, N.B., wants to ensure a certain chapter of history isn’t forgotten about.
It’s lacing up to be a big year for the continued fundraising efforts to preserve the World’s Oldest Basketball Court located in the border town. Not only are efforts underway to preserve the court that has records of games dating back to Oct. 17, 1893, plans are also in place to transform the location into the Canadian National Basketball Experience Museum.
In 2010, the court was rediscovered after a fire, leading to a renewed push in town to protect the iconic hardwood.
“I think people want to preserve this,” says Tom Liston, fundraising chair for the World’s Oldest Basketball Court. “And, as importantly, people know that will be the first node of a Canada Basketball Hall of Fame. There’s no physical Canada Basketball Hall of Fame as we sit here today, they induct people, but there’s no where to go see and be inspired by all these people before us.”
Nova Scotia’s Lyman Walker Archibald brought the game to the Maritimes two years after playing in the first-ever basketball game under the direction of fellow Canadian Dr. James Naismith in Springfield, Mass.
The group is still in the fundraising stage of the project. Thanks to private donations, including one worth $1 million, $2.5 million of the $6 million dollar goal in private donations has been made. Liston says the group is hopeful to also receive $6 million from both the provincial and federal governments to round out project funding.
“Just a few weeks ago we decided to have a Toronto event to try to round that out with people that maybe haven’t heard the full story, maybe have heard of the world’s first basketball court, but didn’t hear the full plans,” says Liston.
“We were fortunate to have the CEO of Canada Basketball and a number of other people from Canada Basketball there, and a lot of VPs and CEOs of some corporations in and around Toronto just before a Toronto Raptors game. We’re fortunate also to have Premier Susan Holt fly up to help support our cause at that event as well.”
Liston is confident in the project coming to fruition, and says the new found support for Canadian projects is helping the group reach their goal.
“They’re spending their money in Canada but also I think, on the private side and corporate side, they wanted to take advantage of the Canadian movement,” Liston says. “We have something in the oldest court in the world.”
Paul Jones is a broadcaster for the Toronto Raptors and a board member with Canada Basketball. He says there are more players from Canada on NBA rosters than any other country except for the United States.
“It shouldn’t be lost on Canadians in terms of the patriotism,” says Jones. “There’s a lot of stuff that people like to claim and take credit for, and they put their chest out saying ‘Hey, we did this, we did that.’ There’s nothing wrong with us saying, ‘Hey, we have the guy who invented the game, we have the world’s oldest court right here.’”
Jones also points to the impact the completed project could have on basketball in the region.
“Especially for the younger kids,” says Jones. “It gives them a chance to see something and touch something connected with the game that is Canadian, and you never know what inspires somebody.”
Jones recalls the effect Vince Carter had on basketball in Canada in the early 2000s and the Toronto Raptors recent run to the championship in 2019 as some examples of how the sport has grown. He believes a space that would showcase the court and also act as a museum and part of the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame would have a similar effect.
“Maritimers absolutely love their basketball,” says Jones.
There are a number of events planned for the summer to continue fundraising efforts for the court including the 4th annual Archie Golf Tournament.
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