First, let's take it back to 1987...

The Hames Center, built in 1987, was originally the Lloyd F Hames Physical Education Center of Sheldon Jackson College named after trustee and donor Lloyd Hames. This PE Center served as the recreation center for students and faculty of Sheldon Jackson College and hosted games for SJ's men's basketball team. The team was a member of the Pacific Northwest Athletic Conference, a NAIA conference with schools from Washington, Idaho, and British Columbia -most much larger and older than SJ. SJ's president at the time tried to put Sheldon Jackson on the map with their competitive basketball team, recruiting players from all over the US. With little success SJ dropped all sports in 1993 for financial reasons. 

In 1993 Larrae Rocheleau was hired as the college's 9th president. Rocheleau (grandfather of current Hames Center Manager, Paige Craig) was an Alaska education guru, whom the college had hoped would help turn things around. Rocheleau died in January 1994 only 6 months after his inauguration. From 1994-2006 five different presidents joined and left the school each fighting accreditation issues, administrative issues, and financial challenges during their terms. Ultimately, all operations of the college shut down in 2007.

In 2011, the campus was granted to Sitka Fine Arts Camp (who now oversees operations of the Hames Center). At the time, 20 historic buildings needed renovation. The gym was just one building on that list. When the gym aimed to reopen in 2011, the biggest concern was the court that was left in despair from water damage. Rumor has it the janitor's faucet was left on overnight, flooding the court, causing the ripples you can still see today.

Community volunteers focused on getting the basketball court good enough to use again. Repairs were made with the resources that were available at the time. This included replacing a huge ripple in the hardwood that ran the entire length of the court. Volunteers were able to make repairs good enough for the court to open again. However, the court still needs serious professional attention to create a safer, even playing surface for athletes by removing any ripples.

Fast forward to 2026...

Long overdue court renovation is finally here! Starting September 1st, our court will close to get this project started. Renovation includes removing the old bleachers, replacing a large section of the front court by the main entry doors, full sanding and recoating, and freshly painted game lines. This project will take at least a full month to complete. Please be patient with us as we will keep members updated on the official court reopening date once this project is closer to completion. 

This is a monumental project for Sitka and members of the Hames Center. 

Our goal is to restore the vision started in 1987. Not with the intent of hosting college basketball games, but to provide Sitka a court that meets the same standards as any high-level athletic facility. To bring back a court that was originally designed for competitive collegiate athletes, that now anyone can use whether you consider yourself an athlete or not. A well-kept, collegiate-length court, with more than enough room to bring people together to improve the health and wellness of the community. 

Total renovation costs $50,000! If you would like to help us restore this vision, please email info@hamescenter.org or click the donation link below. 

Donate Here