Carbonear teeing up first big 3-on-3 basketball tourney

By Craig Westcott / August 4, 2023

It’s not expected to be as big as Light the Lamp, or even Sam’s Jam, among two of the biggest ball hockey tournaments in the province, but Carbonear’s recreation director is hopeful his town’s first ever three-on-three street basketball tournament this fall will grow into something substantial too.

Rob Button told council last week the inaugural tournament, which is slated for the weekend of September 9-10, “is pretty much ready to go out for registration.”

Button said based on the number of courts available, and the timelines, it’s possible to accommodate up to 100 teams.

“I’m not expecting that many for the first year, but if it does (happen), we can accommodate them,” he said. 

The games will be played outside the Recreation Complex using the two regular basketball nets that are already there along with the tennis courts and ball hockey rinks, which will be fitted with portable nets. The parking lot at Carbonear Collegiate is also available to house three-on-three courts.

“So, we’re going to have, hopefully, 10 courts,” Button said. “I don’t think we’ll get the 100 teams, but we can accommodate that. I’m anticipating anywhere between 20 and 40 for the first year, which would be a good start, and hopefully grow from there. So, we’re looking forward to it. I’ve been talking with a few people in the community and they’re going to come on board to help with the event. We’re hoping it will be a stay for our community and keep going into the future and become an annual event.”

As with any major sports tournament at the Recreation Complex, parking could be an issue. 

“I don’t know if there is anything we can do proactively with the parking situation, because every time we have large groups in there, we end up with issues of people parking on the north side of the road,” said councillor Chris O’Grady. “We don’t want to be ticketing anybody, so is there any way you can put some extra signs up?”

Button said parking will be discussed by the planning committee and the people coming to the event will be told ahead of time where they can park. “Depending on how many teams, we might have to make some accommodations,” he admitted. “If we get to the 100 teams, we might have to make some other accommodations with some of the other parking areas around, kind of like what they do at Light the Lamp (in Bay Roberts), find some parking areas and then bus them in. I don’t think we’re going to get there this year, but in the future, if it grows, it will definitely have to be looked at.”