The Court Project
Transforming a space that has served generations into something new
The Arlington Boys & Girls Club Court Initiative updates a longstanding centerpiece of the Club and community — last renovated in the 1980s — into a modern futsal and basketball space designed for youth and shared play. This court will be the first of its kind in the Greater Boston area.
Led and funded by Pat Connaughton and Miles Robinson through their foundations, the project creates a place for kids to play freely, connect — where achieving the improbable begins.
Mission
To create a futsal and basketball court that reflects the town and club's athletic legacy and serves all youth and members.
Vision
A safe, inclusive space where the Boys & Girls Club's next generation can play, grow, and thrive — day or night.
Completion Goal
May 2026 — aligning with the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup being hosted in the US.
The Project Includes
Acrylic Court Surface
New surface with basketball and futsal lines
Futsal Goals & Basketball Hoops
New mounted-in-ground futsal goals and basketball hoops
Acrylic Chain-Link Fencing
New fencing surrounding the entire court
Art Installation
30 x 10 ft mural on the building wall overlooking the court
Front Play Surface
Improved front-of-building surface for four-square and hopscotch
Court Launch Event
May 17, 2026
The Design FC Workshop
Presented by Norman Capital
Youth Creativity at the Center
As part of the initiative, youth from the Arlington Boys & Girls Club participated in a Design FC creative workshop centered around one question:
What does access to play mean to you?
During the workshop, participants shared the words, drawings, and ideas that came to mind when they thought about play.
Some of the themes they shared:
One of the youth also created a heart symbol, which became part of the jersey design.
These words now appear along the bottom of the jersey, turning the kit into a reflection of the voices and creativity of the kids themselves.
The design pattern created during the workshop will also serve as the background of the mural above the court, ensuring the youth who helped design the project are permanently connected to the space they helped shape.