World-class outdoor basketball facility in Saskatoon close to becoming reality

A world-class outdoor basketball facility planned for Saskatoon is one step closer to welcoming kids to shoot hoops.

It's a project rooted in one of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's calls to action, the City of Saskatoon said in a news release this week — and one a local basketball star hopes will inspire kids in his hometown.

The city, along with local group Hoist the Hoops and Canadian Tire's Jumpstart charity, have reached an agreement to build the new courts at River Landing, the news release said.

Michael Linklater, one of the country's premier three-on-three basketball players and a co-founder of Hoist the Hoops, says he's happy to see this project come to fruition.

"This is probably going to be the best outdoor basketball court in Canada," said Linklater, who formed Hoist the Hoops with Marcus Storey and Michael Donauer to bring an outdoor basketball facility to Saskatoon's core neighbourhood.

The intent is to have the facility serve as both a recreation opportunity and a way to bring community together, said Linklater, who is Nehiyaw (Cree) from Thunderchild First Nation and grew up in Saskatoon.

"This is going to be right here in the heart of our city … for families to be able to utilize it, and even passersby are going to be able to just watch some great recreational basketball."

The $500,000 concept plan features a full-size International Basketball Federation (FIBA) basketball court, two regulation three-on-three courts, lights, a shade shelter and up to six basketball standards with backboards, rims and nets.

It will be built between the exercise park and the Zhongshan Ting Chinese pagoda at River Landing.

Linklater said the courts will offer room for everyone to get into the game.

"We want to make sure that there's enough space and opportunity for a lot of younger people and other people who may not necessarily utilize the main courts," he said.

"Usually the side courts are [used by] players who just want to kind of relax or go shoot around and just have some fun with some friends," while "the main course is where a lot of a competition will happen."

The City of Saskatoon is donating the land and will cover operating costs of the facility, said Andrew Roberts, the city's director of recreation and community development.

Annual costs will be around $12,500 once the facility is fully constructed, he said.