St. Stephen Plans $18 Million Centre Around World’s Oldest Basketball Court

The court, hidden beneath carpet in a second-floor storage room on King Street, was revealed in 2010 after a fire led to renovations. What workers uncovered was the original wooden floor of a YMCA gymnasium — dating back to the earliest years of basketball itself.

Now, local leaders hope to transform the site into the Basketball Experience Centre, a landmark facility that will preserve the historic court while offering educational and interactive exhibits. The price tag is projected at $18 million, with funding targeted equally from private donors, provincial contributions, and federal support.

Tom Liston, chair of the fundraising effort, recently shared updates on Mc and T’s Sports Report on CHCO-TV. He has helped draw national attention to the campaign and secure early donations, bringing momentum to the project.

Plans for the centre don’t include regulation play on the fragile court, but visitors will be able to take part in scaled-down interactive activities. The design calls for spaces where guests can shoot on adapted baskets and explore exhibits tracing basketball’s evolution from its 1891 origins to the global game it is today.

The vision also stretches beyond the building itself. Organizers plan to refurbish outdoor courts in St. Stephen, creating upgraded spaces for community use and local tournaments. The project is expected to complement nearby facilities, including the Garcelon Civic Centre across the street. Supporters hope the expanded infrastructure could one day attract marquee events, from a Toronto Raptors training camp to a Women’s National Basketball Association showcase.

Architectural planning for the centre is already underway. The fundraising campaign aims to secure commitments by the end of the year, with construction projected to begin once the goal is met. If all goes according to schedule, completion is expected in about four years.

The historic find has drawn interest from sports historians and basketball enthusiasts across Canada and beyond. If successful, the project would cement St. Stephen as a destination for fans eager to connect with the game’s roots — while safeguarding the oldest surviving court linked to James Naismith’s 1891 invention.