Hervey Bay basketball centre on track to open in summer 2024
Plans for a flash $2.8m basketballer centre in Hervey Bay have been revealed as part of the Fraser Coast Sporting Precinct. TAKE A LOOK
Fraser Coast
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A state-of-the-art basketball centre for Hervey Bay has moved a step closer after development approval was granted by the Fraser Coast Council.
The Hervey Bay Basketball Association will be part of the Fraser Coast Sports and Recreation Precinct in Nikenbah.
Town planning and development approval has been submitted to council with the association waiting to receive lease for a final sign off.
Hervey Bay Basketball Association president Matt Baker said the sign off was about three weeks away.
He said architect plans had been reviewed and approved to finalise drawings and building approval stage, which could take up to six weeks.
“We have received a shed/building quote and once we receive building approval we can begin construction,” Mr Baker said.
“We run into building delays around December/January but hope to see the slab poured by the start of February 2024.
“We hope to have the first games played at the new stadium by summer season next year.”
Mr Baker predicted good things for the future of basketball on the Fraser Coast with the building of the new centre and he also said there was a good chance more would take up the game.
“The new stadium means Hervey Bay Basketball can continue to expand as we are currently at capacity for existing facilities,” he said.
“We have 600 members registered in 2023 with numbers growing consistently over the last couple of years.
“The new stadium will also allow us to host regional basketball tournaments and attract visitors from outside of the Fraser Coast.
“This means our families don‘t always have to travel and the added expense that this incurs to play representative basketball.
“We also have the goal to attract pre-season NBL games in Hervey Bay and clinics for our members.“
Mr Baker said the basketball community was excited about the project and he was already seeing an increased interest in the sport and offers to bring coaching clinics and tournaments to the region.
“Earlier this year Brisbane Bullets completed their first ever basketball camp in our region and we are hoping to engage with them and other organisations to run similar camps into the future.
“A facility of this kind will enable our region to compete for competitions and training camps, which in turn brings additional economic activity.
“We see this space as a community facility and welcome partnerships with other local clubs.”
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