$1 Million Donation Is Creating Two Open-Air Basketball Courts and Surrounding Gathering Areas Inside the William Davidson Sport House
DETROIT– October 1, 2025 – Tom Gores and the Detroit Pistons, in partnership with the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, announced today a $1 million donation that is funding the construction of two open-air basketball courts, gathering areas and flexible space for a range of basketball programming and events at the new 22-acre park on Detroit’s Riverfront.
The new courts and activity space, located at the 22-acre Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park, are an extension of the completed six-year, $2.5 million investment by the Pistons that revitalized 60 basketball courts across the City of Detroit.
“Our basketball courts initiative has provided kids and Detroiters of all ages with healthy environments to stay active,” said Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores. “We are excited to join the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy on this transformative project that will provide two open-air basketball courts and gathering areas that can be used to foster recreation and community connection.”
The project includes two new full-size basketball courts with best-in-class glass backboards, stanchions and rims along with seating areas, green space attributes and other amenities around the courts. The court surfaces will be made of fluid-applied athletic flooring – an outdoor-rated surface that is cushioned to create a similar performance to a traditional hardwood floor.
Construction for the courts is underway and on schedule. They will debut for the park’s grand opening, which is scheduled for Oct. 25.
Detroit Riverfront Conservancy CEO Ryan Sullivan lauded the involvement of Mr. Gores and the Detroit Pistons, citing the courts will serve as a key gathering point and attraction for the park project.
“We’re grateful to Tom Gores and the Detroit Pistons for helping bring these courts to the riverfront because we know that they are going to be a popular draw both for people living in Detroit and for those living all over Southeast Michigan,” said Sullivan. “It’s partnerships like these that have been driving this project from the very beginning and making the dream of creating a world-class park for all Detroiters a reality.”
Court Projects Have Upgraded Outdoor Basketball Facilities in Parks Across Detroit
Mr. Gores and the Detroit Pistons, in partnership with the City of Detroit Parks and Recreation Department, announced the completion of the organization’s six-year, $2.5 million basketball court renovation and refurbishment program in September 2023.
The project, which brought 60 new basketball courts to parks across the city, was one of several commitments the Pistons made in connection with the club’s return downtown in 2017. In addition to completion of the project, the Pistons went a step further and created a yearly program to promote utilization of the newly renovated courts.
The Pistons Neighbors Program, established in 2019, provides free activities like sports, live music, dance, yoga and art in partnership with the City of Detroit’s Parks & Recreation Department. The program just completed its sixth consecutive summer season and has touched locations in all seven city-council districts since its inception.
The organization will collaborate with the Riverfront Conservancy and other community partners to activate and program the new riverfront courts in the years ahead.
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