State Basketball Centre Knox: Boronia stadium to close after $135m expansion

The $135m expansion of the State Basketball Centre is kicking along – but what does it mean for Knox’s other longstanding hub for the sport?

Boronia residents will find out by mid-next year what is being planned to replace its ageing basketball stadium, which is destined for the wrecking ball.

The stadium will close once the $135m expansion of the State Basketball Centre in Wantirna South is completed by late 2023.

Knox councillors voted in October 2017 to decommission the run-down complex, built in 1975, which has been plagued by flooding and structural damage issues.

Knox Basketball Incorporated will move its offices from Boronia to the new complex shortly after the expansion is completed, and the stadium will operate as normal until then.

Boronia’s basketball stadium, home to Knox Basketball Inc, will be knocked down after the State Basketball Centre’s expansion. Picture: Josie Hayden

A council spokeswoman said the masterplan for Boronia Park was expected to be shared with the community sometime this financial year.

Leader understands wetlands or a retarding basin are among the options being considered to fill the stadium space.

The State Basketball Centre will become Australia’s premier hoops complex, and the shell of the expanded centre was installed by builders earlier this month.

Twelve new basketball courts will built at the Wantirna South complex, bringing its total to 18 courts for competition and community use.

A town square with food and beverage outlets is also being built, along with offices and facilities for the South East Melbourne Phoenix (NBL), Melbourne Boomers (WNBL) and Knox Basketball Incorporated.

Local gymnasts will also get to enjoy a new dedicated training centre.

Sports Minister Steve Dimopoulos said the expanded centre would be a “game changer” in an area considered the heartland of Australian basketball.

The skeleton shell of the State Basketball Centre's expansion has been installed, marking a new milestone in the $135m project. Picture: Kiel Egging.

An artist's impression of the $135 million State Basketball Centre to be built in Wantirna South.

“This area and this region deserves this, it’s going to be amazing,” he said.

“We’re investing so more people can enjoy taking part in the sport they love, our top teams can train and be their best, and local sports have top class facilities.

Bayswater state Labor MP Jackson Taylor said the amount of visitors to the centre would increase from 800,000 to 2,000,000 people a year.

Knox Mayor Susan Laukens said the economic development and benefits of the project would be “amazing” for the area, and assured visitors there would be enough parking on site both during and after construction.

The centre is operating as normal and is set to be packed out for three South East Melbourne Phoenix NBL games in January.

“We are tripling the carpark we have and we also have bicycle connections … it will cater for the amount of people that will be here,” she said.

A mural by Indigenous artist Amanda Wright has also been installed around the construction site.