COVID-19 Precautions to be Implemented Upon Reopening
SPRINGFIELD, MASS. – As previously announced, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is currently closed during the final phase of its $23+ million refurbishment of the museum which launched last year. The museum has been closed to the public since February 3rd and was expected to reopen March 25th. The grand re-opening has now been rescheduled for Friday, May 1st due to escalating concerns related to the spread of COVID-19.
The Hall’s renovation includes the refurbishment of its iconic dome, in addition to a new technology and visitor experience with a fully redesigned "High Above Center Court" experience and the all new "Honors Ring.” The extended closure will allow construction crews to diligently work on the museum renovations to ensure the best possible experience for the museum guests upon reopening.
“We’re very excited to reveal our museum renovations to the basketball community and understand these are unprecedented times for public health. Above all, the health and safety of our guests and employees are of the utmost importance,” said John Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. “While we finalize our museum renovations in the coming weeks, we’ll also be implementing a number of precautions related to coronavirus.”
The implemented precautions include:
- An elevated sanitation and cleaning protocol, including hourly sanitizing of all frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs, handles, elevator buttons
- New hands-free sanitizer stands spread throughout the museum floors
- Bathrooms stocked with adequate hand washing materials at all times
- Staff experiencing any type of illness will be required to remain at home
- General public experiencing illness asked to refrain from visiting the museum as well
The Hall of Fame is now accepting group ticket reservations, meetings and events for May 2020 and beyond. For more information, please call the Basketball Hall of Fame’s Ticket Office at (413) 231-5513 or visit www.hoophall.com.
About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame:
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving and celebrating the game of basketball at every level – men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches and contributors, both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame museum is home to more than 400 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo "Court of Dreams." Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game’s elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 70 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum and events, visit www.hoophall.com, follow @hoophall or call 1-877-4HOOPLA.