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| - It has been years since I've been to Hoopdome. In high school, my friends and I would make the 1.5 hour trek by TTC every weekend from Etobicoke. If one of our parents were gracious enough to give us a ride, we would all feel blessed, as we dreaded that 106 bus ride from Downsview station.
Located at 75 Carl Hall Rd, inside the Hanger, Hoopdome is a basketball heaven. 4 full sized wooden floored, glass back board NBA courts. When you walk in, the saying "Ball Is Life" hits home. They have smaller courts inside the "cage" which is where the less talented, younger kids play. Growing up, it was always a privilege to play on the NBA courts, but times have changed and less people frequent Hoopdome.
We went on a Sunday at 6pm, they close at 10:30. I called before to ask how busy it was with my fingers crossed. I was advised a tournament just finished so all courts were open, but people were pouring in. I got in my car, picked up my old highschool buddies, and drove to Hoopdome. Love being an adult with a car now Ha Ha.
The price went up a few dollars for entry. $13 and change. The price of ball rentals are the same. $20 for rubber, $50 deposit for the leather. We "balled out" and got the leather ;)
The runs were competitive at each court. Good mix of people. A ton of Asians at one court though. The courts were almost racially segregated which was odd. 1 thing that has not changed about Hoopdome is the ball situation. KEEP YOUR EYE ON YOURS( or you might lose your deposit mula$$$).
My ball ended up from the NBA courts to the corner of the cage with a group of kids. I was running around like a chicken with its head cut off trying to find my ball for a good 10-15 mins! When I found it, I returned it immediately and said NO MORE RENTALS EVER!
Overall, fun place to shoot hoops. Basketball heaven. #BallisLife
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