North Adams Unveils Renovated Armory Basketball Court
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Two years after a sprinkler malfunction flooded half of the North Adams Armory's gym, and after a lengthy back-and-forth with the insurance company, the city has unveiled the gym's long-awaited new flooring.
Children, families, and elected officials gathered Friday to break in the court during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. While 9-year-old Noah Morrissey scored the first basket, the city obtaining the funding to replace the gyms flooring was a score of its own.
When the city first submitted its claim to the insurance company, Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association, it was initially denied, prompting the city to file another claim, Mayor Jennifer Macksey said.
"We pushed harder on them. Then they came back and said they wanted to replace half the floor. How do you replace half of a basketball court?" she said.
So, the city challenged the insurance company's vice president to visit the gym and to do a few laps on it, after which he saw what the paperwork couldn't convey: the gym floor had dead spots and ripples, meaning the entire floor needed to be replaced.
The city brought in Dupee Flooring to help make its case to the insurance company for a full replacement. Once approved, the company installed a new subfloor to level the surface and refinished the court lines.
Following the $300,000 renovation, the gym now has layouts for three pickleball courts, one volleyball court, and a basketball court. It is also the home of North Adams Youth Basketball League and other teams from Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter Public School in Adams and Buxton School in Williamstown.
"My goal is to make this a community center where we take it to the next level and have after-school programs, [and provide] a safe place for the kids to come, where they can be supervised and play the best sport in the world, basketball," Mark Moulton, the league's vice president, said.
In 2026, the North Adams Youth Basketball League served more than 400 players, said David Lesure, president of the league.
North Adams Youth Basketball League gives kids a safe, welcoming place to play basketball, build character and learn sportsmanship, he said.
"Our goal as a youth organization is to get kids off the streets and onto the court, not only to learn about basketball, to learn about building character, but it's a safe place," Lesure said.
"The board is really trying to promote kids to come together, learn a sport, have fun, be excited and just have a good time."
The league is accepting signups online through Nov. 5. The house league costs $35 and the instructional league costs $30; however, financial assistance is available.
"No child is turned away because of cost," Moulton said.
Additionally, state Rep. John Barrett was able to earmark $50,000 for the North Adams Youth Basketball League, which will be used for continued improvements in the gym, including bleachers and storage.
"I think this is terrific. It's a place for kids to come. It complements all the other things in the city, [Noel Field Athletic Complex] and other athletic facilities," Barrett said.
Barrett's connection to the armory dates back to his tenure as North Adams mayor. After the Massachusetts National Guard vacated the building, he sought to transform it into a youth facility and successfully advocated for the state to transfer ownership to the city at no cost.
Last year, the league also purchased new hoops and new scoreboards from savings and fundraising efforts.
Tags: Armory, basketball, North Adams, Sports, youth sports,
