By Katherine Murphy

Hoops there it is – The proposed Basketball Museum of Illinois has no plans to “travel” out of Pontiac.

Rumors have been dribbling out about a possible departure by the group but the Pontiac Daily Leader notes the statements are just that – nothing more than rumors.

Bruce Firchau of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association verified that on Monday while visiting Pontiac saying the organization wants to be here.

Jim Tracey of the IBCA said the relationship between the museum and the city is a positive one and that Pontiac is a place they call home.

Any delays the museum is experiencing right now stem from money.  Firchau pointed out that right now they’re in the fundraising stage and that he’s operating solo as fundraiser for the project. Adding that it takes time to make connections and follow leads in order to build the capital needed to get things up and running. 

Right now there’s hope for a very soft opening during the time of the Pontiac Holiday Tournament in 2019.

For more information on the basketball museum, visit the website: basketballmuseumofillinois.com.