Efforts Revive St. Stephen’s Historic Basketball Court Amid Rising Canadian Patriotism

ST. STEPHEN, N.B. — In a small mill town in New Brunswick, a push to restore the world’s oldest basketball court is gaining momentum amid renewed national pride. The court, housed in a brick building where the first game was played in 1893, has long been overlooked, but local advocates are determined to transform it into a museum.

The court, where a game was first recorded on October 17, 1893, was part of the legacy of Lyman Archibald, who introduced basketball to St. Stephen as director of the local YMCA. For years, residents have aimed to secure recognition and funding to convert the site into a dedicated space for basketball history.

“A Canadian invented the game, and the world’s oldest court where the game was first played in Canada is sitting in St. Stephen,” said Tom Liston, a tech investor and member of the advocacy group Canada 1st Basketball. “I think people are starting to think about that fact more and more.”

Historically, the building has served multiple purposes including a recruitment center during World War I, a dance hall, and a pharmacy. Its current state, however, is one of disrepair; a fire in 2010 exposed the original hardwood gym floor, which had been hidden under carpet.

While some historians dispute the claim of “world’s oldest” basketball court, citing the Paris YMCA as a competitor for the title, the significance of St. Stephen’s court remains strong. Today, a faded fruit basket from the game’s origins hangs ominously on one wall, as the space struggles to capture its historical essence with peeling paint and a malfunctioning smoke alarm.

The Canada 1st Basketball group plans to raise $18 million to transform the site into an “experience centre.” This project would feature a Hall of Fame, interactive displays, and facilities for hosting events and youth programs. Liston stated that $6 million would be sought from private donations and an additional $12 million from both provincial and federal governments.

So far, the endeavor has raised approximately $3.5 million from private sources, which allowed the group to acquire the property. New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt recently attended a fundraising event but did not respond to inquiries about provincial funding.

Miranda Ayim, a Canadian basketball player and Olympic flag-bearer, expressed pride in the historical significance of the court. “It’s a wonderful game,” she said. “It keeps you active, but also brings people together regardless of background.”

As political tensions with the U.S. heighten under President Trump’s administration, local figures like David Ganong, executive vice-chair of Ganong Bros., see a perfect opportunity to champion Canadian pride through this project. “We’ve got a great spark of Canadian patriotism coming on right now,” he said. “I think this fits in extremely well with that.”

Richard Fulton, another member of Canada 1st Basketball, emphasized the importance of cultivating a Canadian identity. “We’re part of the world, but we also have an identity and a character that’s Canadian only … but we need a focal point for that,” he said.

St. Stephen Mayor Allan MacEachern echoed these sentiments, stressing the town’s responsibility to preserve the court. “The political climate — it’s been a crazy world — and that is all the more reason why we need something like this to dream about and to enjoy,” he stated.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on April 20, 2025.