$23 Million Dollars Later…The Basketball Hall of Fame Reopens
The Basketball Hall of Fame has officially reopened its doors. Closed since February 3rd for renovations, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield is open for business starting today. The Hall was scheduled to reopen in March.
Some of the renovations include more interactive displays that highlight videos, pictures of players and coaches. Other additions include; the “Hall of Honor”, “1891 Gallery”, “Players Gallery”, ‘James Goldstein Superfan Gallery”, and the “Jerry Colangelo Court of Dreams.” Anyone passing the Hall on Route 91 saw the enormous project performed last year on the outside dome that makes up the innovative look of the Hall of Fame. The total cost according to the Hall’s website was over 23-million dollars.
Special health guidelines are in place to ensure a fun and healthy experience when visiting. Complimentary masks will be provided for all guests, as well as stylus wands for visitors to utilize when using touch screen exhibits.
The Hall of Fame is named after Dr. James Naismith. Dr. Naismith was a physical educator, chaplain, coach and innovator. He moved from Canada to Springfield where he is credited for inventing the game of basketball and wrote the original basketball rulebook. Among some of his other inventions was the design of the very first football helmet.
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is home to more than 400 inductees and houses over 40,000 square feet of the history of basketball. Prior to the pandemic, the Hall would welcome close to 200,000 visitors each year.
Because of the pandemic the enshrinement of the Class of 2020 will be rescheduled to sometime in 2021. The Class of 2020 was announced in April and includes Celtic hero Kevin Garnett, center Tim Duncan and Laker great Kobe Bryant, who was killed in a helicopter crash in January.
If you would like more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame you can visit the website, or call (413) 231-5513.
ALSO SEE: 30 Most Decade-Defining Memes