FACILITIES

At the birth of the Amateur Basketball Association of Scotland there was not a single full sized basketball court in the country. The standard for a full size court was 26 metres (85 feet) by 14 metres (46 feet). Clubs played anywhere they could find a large enough space. School gymnasia were typically 60 ft x 30 ft but only a few had basketball goals installed. Wall bars and beams were additional hazards. Free standing goals were stored in Territorial Army Drill Halls and other similar establishments. Military vehicles or furniture often had to be moved to create enough space for the court. Some halls had stages at one end and a special "Goal" had to be erected on the stage.

It is quite remarkable that basketball made such good progress in the early years given the serious limitation of suitable facilities. In Edinburgh the enterprising local league played matches in the Palais De Dance. The floor was a magnificent sprung maple wood, but was very slippy. Players adjusted to the hazard but the venue was withdrawn when a stray basketball shattered the spinning ball of mirrors suspended from the ceiling.

The finest court in Scotland was at the Pleasance Trust in Edinburgh. It also had a sprung maple wood floor. Although the court was slightly narrower and shorter than full size, baskets were suspended from the ceiling allowing players the luxury of running under the basket without fear of crashing into a wall, wall bars, stages or supporting metal. It was no co-incidence that the leading team in Scotland in those early days was the Pleasance Boys Club. As basketball became more popular The Pleasance became the favoured venue of several Edinburgh clubs and the hall was in use for three sessions every weekday evening and at weekends. Unfortunately the ceiling was quite low and at one end had gymnastic beams suspended from the roof which limited longer range shots. Eventually the owners removed the wall bars from each side of the court, the gymnastic beams and replaced the hanging lights with a recessed variety.

An interesting facility was the old gymnasium at Edinburgh University. It had pillars running down the centre of the court at 20 foot intervals to support the ceiling. This was similar to some early facilities in America and the use of the pillars to brush off opponents became known as a "Post Play". Enterprising coaches saw the potential of the pillars and replaced the pillar with a stationary player who was "Posting up".

As new schools and colleges were built, gymnasia gradually became larger until in the late 60's the Scottish Education Department adopted a policy of building Games Halls. These were designed to accommodate a full size basketball and volleyball court in addition to several badminton courts. Games Halls became the dominant location for basketball activity, but unfortunately few had facilities for spectators.

The 1970 Commonwealth Games was another watershed for the provision of sports facilities in Scotland. The Meadowbank Sports Centre incorporated three areas which accommodated a full size basketball court and two had significant spectator provision. Each hall had an electronic scoreboard and timekeeping device which added to the spectating experience. Recreation Departments in local authorities around the country created programmes for the construction of multi-sports centres. Many of these were "Prestige" buildings and were often too expensive for local basketball clubs to hire.

An Edinburgh entrepreneur was convinced by local basketball enthusiasts that the game had great spectator potential. He had converted a local dance hall in to a roller skating rink and was looking for a larger facility to marry a roller rink with a basketball venue. He found the answer in the disused Falkirk Ice Rink. A superb timber floor was laid which was an excellent facility for roller skating. With the installation of top quality basketball goals, it was a natural venue for major basketball events having seating for 3,000 spectators. A local Falkirk basketball club had been started and quickly established itself in the Scottish Basketball hierarchy. Unfortunately the hall had been designed for Ice Hockey and was well nigh impossible to heat. Shortly after housing the 19 Scottish Cup Final between Murray International and Falkirk's own P&D Windows before a full house of spectators, the roof was condemned and the facility closed.

Meanwhile Murray International had convinced the Livingston Development Committee that they should have a Sports Centre with spectator provision. The project was completed and MIM played European Cup and British League matches at their new home. This was the first and only facility in Scotland, built with the primary intention of holding basketball matches. Unfortuately David Murray lost interest in basketball after he purchased Glasgow Rangers FC and the building was later demolished.


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