Lithuanian basketball started in Kaunas in 1922. The Lithuanian House of Basketball has already been built in Kaunas – a unique building, where during the 100th anniversary of Lithuanian basketball a unique acquaintance with the history, victories of the second country’s religion will begin. It will be an impressive journey through time and experience. Now Lithuanian House of Basketball is open to various events and gatherings of the basketball community.
First events had already taken place last week. Last season’s NKL champions were honoured at the House of Basketball, an LKF conference was held, and the museum’s premises were also occupied by the international dance festival AURA 30. The premiere of Kaunas Dance Theater “AURA” and Kaunas City Symphony Orchestra – “Begalybės” took place here.
“All the guests have been quite surprised when they found out that premiere will b e held in such a unique environment. People were very interested in the fact that we chose such an innovative space for the 30th festival.
Knowing that there is a lack of such venues suitable for theatre in Kaunas, we highly recommend this venue. For us, as a dance theatre “AURA”, the space of “House of Basketball” was a very innovative and proven solution for the presentation of the premiere. We are very thankful and hope that soon this venue will be fully adapted to the implementation of various artistic events”, – said Birutė Letukaitė, director of the dance theatre “AURA”.
Idea
House of Basketball is more than just a building. It is a symbol of the Lithuanian people’s passion for basketball and unity. It is the home of the entire basketball community”, – says Mindaugas Špokas, Secretary General of the Lithuanian Basketball Federation.
According to Mindaugas Špokas, the first stage of “House of Basketball” has been completed – they are already functioning. The museum within the building will be ready and open for public in 2022, when the second phase is completed, with the help of one of the world’s most famous museum installation and event contractors, Ralph Applebaum Associates (RAA).
“House of Basketball will contain everything that fits in the word ‘basketball’. It will not be a museum of things, but a museum of experiences and impressions. We want to create and environment that children will not want to leave, and the adults will take away the impressions that they can share with their friends and family. Main idea is to make the museum a permanent centre of attraction”, – says M. Špokas.
Arguably the best company in the world was involved in this project. The RAA has completed more than 700 projects in 50 countries. These include the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington DC, the London Transport Museum, the Royal Academy of Music Museum in London, the National Museum of Scotland, EXPO 2008 in Zaragoza, William Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC and many more.
Photo by: Andrius Aleksandravičius
Together with the Americans, the goals of the museum were formed, combining the ideas of “Dare to Dream”.
One of the main ones is to immerse visitors in a dramatic journey through the history of basketball in Lithuania. This is done by creating an atmosphere of a hall of fame honouring coaches and players who have left a vivid mark in the history of basketball.
All technical solutions were implemented and the construction of the Lithuanian Basketball House was taken care of by one of the best specialists in this field in Lithuania – the sustainable urban development and construction company YIT Lietuva.
“We are a company based in Kaunas and big fans of Žalgiris, therefore we appreciate the opportunity to contribute to this important project for the city and the country’s basketball. Kaunas’ development works do not stop – almost every month it is supplemented by new projects and spaces for residents or city guests. I am convinced that this project, which stands out with its mission and architectural solutions, will become another attraction centre of the city”, – said Kęstutis Vanagas, the head of the company.
Near the house – a historic basketball court
In 2022, a basketball court composed of brass tiles with names and surnames will be completed next to the House of Basketball. 100 tiles with the names of the most prominent Lithuanian basketball personalities.
The first symbolic tile in the middle of the court is dedicated to Steponas Darius, a person who brought basketball to Lithuania. Anyone in the world can leave the mark on the court by getting their own tile and thus contribute to the creation of history. Interest in this campaign is currently high: basketball fans living abroad, but also the heads of foreign basketball federations and FIBA have left their mark in this historic idea.
“A tile often becomes a great gift that commemorates family, children, parents, loved ones, corporate teams/employees”, – says M. Špokas.
Inside the House of Basketball itself will also be a sponsorship wall and an interactive place with the names of everyone who contributed to this project. You can leave a mark on the basketball court and contribute to the installation of the House of Basketball Museum by visiting the project’s website www.parama.krepsinionamai.lt.
Officially, the symbolic building for public eye will open in April of 2022, commemorating the centenary of Lithuanian basketball.
Museum’s vision
It is also planned that a statue of James Naismith, the pioneer of basketball, will be present at the entrance to the House of Basketball.
“Representatives of the RAA advised not to limit themselves only to Kaunas and Lithuania – to show that basketball is a game worldwide and global game, while Lithuania occupies a very important place on its map”, – says Živilė Belejevaitė, director of the House of Basketball.
The statue of a Canadian who invented basketball in 1891 will be located next to a large oak tree surrounded by a semicircular copper-clad building. Other trees will continue to grow in the area, which will give a feeling of home coziness. This was the idea of the building architect Gintautas Natkevičius.
The museum itself will take around 70 percent of one the most modern building not only in Lithuania, but also in Europe and the Baltic States.
A historic interactive exhibition will be set up on the first floor. Centre of the hall will have a console with screens that will tell museum visitors’ not only the global development of basketball, but also move them to the basketball court or place them into the stands next to the most passionate fans.
On the ground floor, visitors will have an opportunity to test their physical measure such as reaction, jumping and hand accuracy.
“It will be possible to compete with a specific basketball player. The best results will be recorded. It will also be possible to chat virtually with the basketball star of your choice”, – says Ž. Belejevaitė.
The museum’s partners, such as the NBA and Nike, will also have their own interactive areas. It will be possible to take a photo with an NBA star. There will be a special esport area which is being developed in collaboration with the NBA. It is also planned to establish an esports school. Children’s summer camps are also planned.
Photo by: Andrius Aleksandravičius
Infrastructure
Lithuanian House of Basketball is ready to organise various events, presentations, film screenings. Regular meetings of basketball veterans are planned. The event calendar is already being filled not only with sports, but also with cultural and art events. The traditional House of Basketball awards will also take place in these premises.
There is a large hall that fits around 200 people. As a result, ventilation and fire safety requirements have been tightened. Almost 2 thousand squared meters a particularly energy-efficient A+ building also has an elevator for the disabled.
Outdoor basketball courts have already been built and opened next to the House of Basketball. However, it is still planned to lay a modern ground and build a tribune.
“It will be possible to have a rapidly growing trio basketball base here, where the national 3 × 3 national team and other teams will be able to train”, – added M. Špokas.
The shareholders of House of Basketball are LKF and Kaunas Municipality. The public institution will have to sustain itself – from museum events, space rentals, children’s camps and project activities.
“We thank our basketball community, which has already contributed to the project: LKF President Arvydas Sabonis, LKF Vice President Mindaugas Plukas, Lithuanian Student’s Basketball League President Rimantas Cibauskas, basketball players Jonas Valančiūnas and Domantas Sabonis, Lithuanian men’s basketball team, LKF members and other members of our community. Thanks to all of them, the first stage of the project is already complete – the building has already been built, and now we will be able to focus on the internal constructions, preservation and nurturing of basketball history. Once again, we want to thank everyone and we want to invite and continue to actively contribute to the implementation of the second phase of the project”, – says Ž. Belejevaitė.
