The Archie 2025 event is bringing basketball fans, golfers and celebrity guests to Charlotte County this week in support of the World’s Oldest Basketball Court project.
It’s running from Thursday to Saturday and will be the fourth year of the multi-day event.
The Archie includes a youth basketball clinic, a celebrity golf tournament at Algonquin Golf Course and live entertainment at Char and Chowder in St. Andrews.
The event is part of a broader effort to help raise funds towards the $18 million restoration project of the historic court and build a new wing to house the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame.
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Tom Liston, fundraising chair and board member for the project, said the primary goal of the Archie is to build public awareness and long-term support.
“The Archie is more than a fundraiser,” Liston said.
“It builds awareness and momentum as we work toward preserving this heritage site and inspiring young athletes.”
The court, located in downtown St. Stephen, is believed to be the oldest surviving basketball court in the world.
Organizers say the site connects directly to the sport’s origins, with Lyman Archibald, one of James Naismith’s first students, having played there in the late 1800s.
“Everyone who comes in says they get chills when they walk on the floor,” Liston said.
“There’s a big wow factor, and they appreciate the history.”
This year’s youth clinic, held at St. Stephen High School, features coaching from Canadian Basketball Hall of Famer Diane Norman, Olympian Miranda Ayim and former Team Canada coach Lisa Thomaidis.
Raptors broadcasters Paul Jones and Eric Smith are also expected to participate, along with many other celebrity guests throughout the event.
The youth basketball clinic costs $10 per participant and includes a reversible jersey, T-shirt and lunch, thanks to sponsorships from Canadian Tire and Basketball Canada. Organizers expect 70 to 80 children to attend.
Liston said that they are hoping to raise more than $100,000 this year from the Archie, with the proceeds helping to fund third-party studies, architectural renderings, and the restoration project.
To date, the campaign has secured $2.6 million in private donations and is seeking additional support from provincial and federal governments.
