NBL team planned for Wantirna South but model flying club could have wings clipped

SEE the sketches of the Knox Regional Sports Park masterplan that could include an NBL stadium.

A design of the Knox Regional Sports Park masterplan.

NBL is in and model planes are out, new designs for the Knox Regional Sports Park show.

The draft masterplan for the Wantirna South precinct includes 10 extra basketball courts, an 8000-seat stadium and up to 3000 new parking spaces — but no room for flying model aircraft.

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Architects’ drawings included in the plan feature a section referred to as the ‘future NBL stadium’.

The design, commissioned by Knox Council, comes as Federal Sports Minister Bridget McKenzie is scheduled to visit the State Basketball Centre for a tour this Thursday.

The council is lobbying the federal and state governments to help fund the project, which it says would make the site “a basketball facility unequalled in Australia” and used as the home base for Melbourne’s second NBL men’s team.

If the NBL stadium does go ahead, the Victorian Association of Radio Model Soaring would be forced to take flight.

The group has its flying strip and clubhouse behind the State Basketball Centre and has been there 30 years.

Victorian Association of Radio Model Soaring Inc. (VARMS) could be kicked out of their home base to make way for a basketball stadium.

The group’s lease expires in 2022 and unless it can find a new home before then it will go onto a short-term lease arrangement before being forced out.

A council report said it was trying to find the group an alternative base but had not yet found anywhere suitable.

Councillors said at last week’s council meeting they want the State Government to step in and help the search.

Remote controlled plane enthusiasts Ross Armstrong and Alan Mayhew have to start looking for a new place to fly.

Meanwhile, Basketball Victoria chief executive Nick Honey has praised the vision of the masterplan and said “we owe it to our kids and future generations to put in place the best possible facilities to support their participation in local sport”.

The public can view the masterplan and have their say at knox.vic.gov.au/krspmasterplan