Dispute that derailed $12 million Frankston Basketball Stadium redevelopment no closer to resolution
AN ACRIMONIOUS dispute that derailed the $12 million Frankston Basketball Stadium redevelopment is still no closer to resolution.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
AN ACRIMONIOUS dispute that derailed the $12 million Frankston Basketball Stadium redevelopment is still no closer to resolution.
The stalled negotiations follow a July announcement by the council that the project was, in fact, all but back on track.
But Frankston and District Basketball Association president Gary Emery has told the Leader agreement over a new lease for the FDBA — a key sticking point — had not been resolved.
“We have had a new amended lease presented to us which we are working through,” he said.
“But we don’t see the lease will be signed in any short amount of time.”
Mr Emery stressed that the FDBA wanted the project to start.
RELATED: State MPs call for government to intervene over basketball stadium
RELATED: Basketball officials accuse council of ‘cash grab’
RELATED: Frankston Basketball Stadium close to starting
“The lease is central to starting that process. We can’t commence the project without the lease being resolved,” he said.
“Council has requested the FDBA contribute more funds on the back of the builder’s increasing costs and we are considering this.”
Mayor Brian Cunial confirmed the matter was still unresolved.
“We’re still working through the lease with the FDBA and hope to come to a resolution in the near future,” he said.
Cr Cunial would not comment further.
Council announced in January that the contract had been awarded to Devco Project and Construction Management Pty Ltd.
But the project went off the rails amid heated allegations by basketball officials that council was using the lease negotiations as a “cash grab”, while Cr Cunial accused the FDBA of dumping a “big bucket of filth” on council.
Hundreds of angry basketballers marched to council offices over the stalled negotiations in April.
Stage one of the project is funded by the Federal Government ($5.2 million), Victorian Government ($2.5m), council ($4m) and the association ($1m).
It is slated to include four new courts including a new ‘‘show court’’ with about 600 seats, new entry and reception, a new cafe with commercial kitchen and new change rooms.