A vision forwarded by Hoist the Hoops for a world-class basketball facility in the River Landing area is a step closer to reality.
A draft agreement between the city of Saskatoon, Canadian Tire Jumpstart charities and Hoist the Hoops will see Jumpstart provide a gift-in-kind for the design and construction of the multi-court facility.
Hoist the Hoops is a local initiative spearheaded by Michael Linklater, Marcus Storey and Michael Donauer.
They saw a need for an outdoor basketball facility to serve as both a sports opportunity and a way to bring the community together in Saskatoon’s core neighbourhood.
The group then connected with Jumpstart.
“They are willing to take on the capital to make this a reality,” Linklater told a city committee on Monday.
“They understand the vision we have and what we want to do.”
Jumpstart has committed $900,000 to the project and described the opportunity to work with Linklater and his team as “phenomenal.”
“We’ve worked very closely with Michael and his team to make sure it’s targeting exactly what they’d like to see here in the first place, and our commitment includes (funding) the court at no cost,” said Jumpstart spokesperson Lindsey Joseph.
“Ultimately, we’re really just looking forward to this opportunity to build an inclusive court space with the city of Saskatoon in partnership with Michael and his team.”
Linklater is no stranger to the city’s basketball landscape, winning championships at both the university and professional levels.
His story began on a basketball court on the city’s west side and Mayor Charlie Clark said a new facility could be the inspiration for the next generational talent from the city.
“It’s emerged in so many ways out of Michael Linklater’s story and what he says and how he shares about his experience going and finding places to play basketball,” Clark said during the committee meeting.
“That became such a huge force in his own life to become an international basketball star and a (Saskatchewan) Huskie star and (a Saskatchewan) Rattlers championship team member, and now wanting to create those spaces for other kids in the community. I just think it’s amazing.”
The concept for the outdoor basketball court project has been revised to include a full-size International Basketball Federation (FIBA) basketball court, two regulation 3-on-3 courts, lights, a shade shelter and up to six basketball standards with backboards, rims and nets.
“I think if everything goes according to plan, we should be able to make this happen by this summer,” said Linklater.
“Shovels to the ground this spring as soon as the ground thaws.”
What is needed now before that happens is approval from city council after the committee approved the recommendations to bring Jumpstart on board.
It also needs a commitment from the city to assume the operating costs of the facility at the end of the warranty period.
“That’s something we look for from our communities that we work with and something we’re hoping the city of Saskatoon will be prepared to commit to as well,” Joseph said.