By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

PORTLAND — As fans settled into their seats and excitement started to build prior to the start of the playoff basketball game, the public address announcer’s voice boomed over the overhead speakers:

Welcome to the James Banks Sr. Exposition Building for tonight’s….

The thrill of high school basketball playoffs with fans in the stands returned last month after a year off due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Unlike past seasons, the building had a few new twists.

One was obvious. The hardwood floor carried the name of the Maine Celtics — previously, it was the Maine Red Claws, but a year ago, the Boston Celtics made Maine its full G League affiliate.

The other change fans likely didn’t notice as they entered under the dark skies of night to the familiar venue for the opening rounds of the Class A and B South tournament. High above the doorway to the right carries the building’s new identity — the James C. Banks Sr. Exposition Building, no longer the Portland Expo.

The facility was renamed in memory of Mr. Banks, who at the age of 80 died in February 2020 following a hard-fought battle with cancer.

Mr. Banks spent his life as a crusader for children. He was a coach. He served on the school board and state committees directly responsible for creating programs that benefitted children. He helped lead the drive to build the Portland Ice Arena. He worked to establish the Holiday Classic Basketball Tournament at the Expo (1986). And, his efforts earned him several tributes and distinguished community service awards.

Yet, the real reward in Mr. Banks’ eyes was “always doing the right thing for kids.” He never cared about “who got the recognition,” but rather the end result — were the best of interest of children served?

 “The kids were always most important,” remembers Doug Banks Sr. of Naples — one of three sons of James Banks.

Following in this father’s footsteps, Doug has carried that legacy forward here in the Lake Region. He has coached at the middle school and high school levels, including completing his 12th season aside Laker varsity girls’ basketball Coach Paul True. He has volunteered as a rec basketball, baseball and softball official. Like his dad, Doug takes care of all of the little things, mostly behind the scenes, to insure kids enjoy opportunities and experiences they will long remember.

It was with great pride that Doug and his family took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony held last June to celebrate the renaming of the Portland Expo to the James A. Banks Sr. Exposition Building. The Banks family was joined by city and Portland Sea Dogs officials.

The Portland City Council voted to rename the Expo on Feb. 3, 2020, but a dedication ceremony was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. At the dedication, Portland City Councilor Nick Mavodones said, “He really taught everyone that the decisions you made always had to be streamed through the lens of what’s best for teaching and learning.”

Banks opposed demolition of the run-down Expo building (constructed in 1914), which then City Manager Tim Honey proposed selling or demolishing because it was running an ongoing deficit ($89,000 in 1980) and spearheaded the fight to give operational responsibility for the Expo to the school board and protect the city’s primary venue for school sports programs and activities. By 1986, over $200,000 in improvements were made to the Expo, including a new gym floor, locker rooms and concession areas. Banks was chairman of the Portland School Committee during the Expo’s revitalization in the 1980s. He “was instrumental in its incredible turnaround.”

“When there was talk about demolishing the Expo, my dad fought the effort, knowing how valuable the facility was to high school sports,” Doug said. “He said kids needed a place to play basketball and run track. He was saving that building not for himself, but for the kids. He took the girls’ basketball team at Portland High out of the basement and brought them to the Expo to play. If that building wasn’t saved, we wouldn’t have what is there today.” 

If a project needed a guide or someone to push the envelope, people sought out Jim Banks. His fingerprints will long remain throughout the Portland area, having been on committees to build the city’s ice arena, upgrade the Portland High School baseball field, which is now Hadlock Field — home of the Sea Dogs, as well as install lights at Deering Memorial Field and restored lighting at Fitzpatrick Stadium. When the Red Claws were considering building a facility, officials were directed to speak with Mr. Banks before moving ahead. His tour and talk convinced the pro basketball team the Expo was thespot to locate their franchise.

“I admired his ability to give to others. It was probably his biggest strength,” Doug said. “He did for others, like constantly, without even a thought.”

Just Desserts

When Doug Banks heard Portland city officials had proposed renaming the Expo after his dad, Doug had one simple thought — “about time.”

“My dad was one always looking to give everyone else credit. He has his name on 27 buildings in Portland, and takes credit for none of them. I told my dad, you deserve it and please take the credit you deserve,” Doug said. “His saying was those who know, know; those who don’t, don’t.He never wanted credit for anything. They (city officials) went out of their way to make sure this happened, which our family is very grateful.”

When his name was placed on the Expo, Jim Banks was at the end of his battle with esophageal cancer. He knew about the building’s name change before passing in February 2020. 

“He was in Florida, not doing very well. He got a call from Nick who told him the vote passed with no nays. Dad actually started to weep,” Doug recalled. “He called me and said, ‘We did it, son.’ I was such a big advocate for my dad to stop taking the back seat and take some credit he earned. Every speech my brothers and I have given, we start with my dad would be embarrassed about all this attention.”

Like most families whose loved one is fighting for their life, the Banks family pooled all their energy and emotional support to help Jim. There were plenty of sacrifices and missed school events as the family went to Florida to move Jim back to Maine. Doug emphasized the love and care his wife Sharon showed his dad over a two-year span as his caregiver enabled him to continue his work with area children and athletes.

“Without her, I couldn’t do what I do,” he said. 

What Jim found that was good for his soul was watching Lake Region sports, especially girls’ basketball. When he was ill in Florida, Doug sent him video tape of LR games. Jim carefully watched the game, then called the next day, asking questions about strategy and outcomes.

Doug expects that any visit inside the Expo in the future, he will sense his dad’s spirit and will always be so proud of his lifetime pursuit of working tirelessly on behalf of children.

“Coach True — who is the most supportive man I’ve met in my life and who doesn’t get the credit he deserves — and I have always said we love playing in that gym. The people are on top of you; it is a great atmosphere; it is always fun going to a tournament there — and we’ve gone to a lot of them — 12 years been there, haven’t been there more than a handful of times — every time I go in there I get chills because of my dad that building is there,” Doug said.

Doug will always remember the lessons taught — Just be quietand do you work behind the scenes, listen to the kids, you don’t always have to be in front to make a difference, and people who know, know.