Our Plan

A bright FUTURE

Downtown Detroit’s renaissance over the past decade has been nothing short of remarkable, but that revitalization can reach farther. Join us in bringing this energy into the real heart of the city—our neighborhoods.

Ceciliaville, in partnership with the Pistons, the Archdiocese of Detroit, and Belfor Property Restoration, are re-launching their efforts to revitalize and expand the historical St. Cecilia’s Gym into a hub of basketball and community services in the city of Detroit. With a master plan provided by Jeffery A. Scott Architects, the Ceciliaville organization now has a vision to create a safe, inspiring, transformational center for local youth to connect over basketball and other sports and provide access to activities and services that will change their lives.

OVERALL STRATEGY

Ceciliaville will serve not only as a gym, but a community center that supports the needs and functions of the local community and broader youth of Detroit, and highlight the history of the space and basketball in the city. The original floor of the gym and the front (south) facade with the rose window and steps are iconic highlights of the space that will be retained. Everything else on the site will be improved.

Phase 1 (2023-2024)

  • Rehabilitate the existing building and bring it up to code so it is usable for local basketball leagues, skills camps and student tournaments. Multiple recreational uses: volleyball, pickleball, karate, yoga, etc.

  • Renovate the gym to a level where it can garner community support and raise funds for future phases of expansion.

Phase 2 (2024 – 2026)

  • Expand the gym, primarily to the east, to provide more space for seating and additional programming.

  • New HVAC systems for campus buildings

  • Resurface and expand the parking lot with better directions, and more lighting.

  • Close off Stearns Avenue in front of the south facade steps to create a public plaza and highlighted entrance.

Phase 3 (2027 +)

  • Renovate or rebuild the existing school building.

PROGRAMMING GOALS

  • A usable gym (that is renovated, accessible, up to code, with usable restrooms and facilities) for youth and community recreation in the short term, and professional sports exhibitions and tournament rentals in later phases.

  • Flexible space and classrooms for youth mentoring, education, a computer lab for employment services, a mini bank branch to teach financial literacy, mini police station, and other uses defined by the community.

  • Small market that sells fresh food to the surrounding community.

  • Free Wifi for the entire site and surrounding community.

  • Career training for skilled trades and education for members of the community.

  • Features to highlight the history of the space and the donors who make the new construction possible, such as murals, wall of names, a small historical museum, and retail space for branded merchandise.

  • An updated, functional kitchen in the lower level gathering space for concessions, food for youth leagues, large dinners, banquets, meetings, that can be used by both Ceciliaville and the Parish.

  • Support spaces for the gym (equipment storage, more seating, locker rooms) that allow it to be an all-purpose space for more than just basketball.