There is no need to be “shellfish” for an upcoming fundraiser to save what is believed to be the world’s oldest basketball court in St. Stephen.
Organizers with Canada First Basketball Inc. are partnering with the Town of St. Stephen to present its first LobsterFest, set for June 25 at the Garcelon Civic Centre.
Richard Fulton, president of Canada First Basketball, said in a phone interview Wednesday the event will feature everything from a full course lobster dinner to live entertainment and even games.
“It’s intended to be a fundraiser towards the basketball project, but it’ll also raise the profile and get a whole lot of people involved … in finding out about the court,” said Fulton.
Fulton said the court, located in the former YMCA building on King Street, was rediscovered about 10 years ago after the structure suffered from a fire. Residents realized the cultural significance of the court and recognized that it had to be saved.
The court, he said, has ties to the Canadian inventor of basketball, James Naismith.
“He taught a group of people, and Lyman Archibald from Truro, Nova Scotia, was one of those folks who was sent to learn the game and was sent to St. Stephen and had a game on this court in 1893,” said Fulton.
All proceeds from the event will help restore the court to its former glory and bring the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame to the town. Fulton said it would make for a significant tourist attraction for New Brunswick.
Organizers have raised about $1 million since December, which has allowed them to begin the planning phase of the restoration project. Fulton said the total fundraising goal is about $10 million.
To help achieve that goal, Canada First Basketball is also holding a celebrity golf tournament in Saint Andrews this August. Rapper Maestro Fresh Wes, boxer Charlie Cavanagh and Olympic athlete Joyce Slipp are just some of the celebrities taking part.
Fulton hopes LobsterFest can become an annual event to continue raising money and awareness for the basketball project.
“The lobster Fest will not only raise money but also raise awareness, particularly for local people in southern New Brunswick, about what the project is all about,” he said.
