Frankston Basketball Stadium revamp close to starting
FINAL plans for Frankston’s revamped basketball stadium are taking shape, with construction set to begin in the new year.
South East
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THE Frankston Basketball Stadium redevelopment is moving full steam ahead.
Frankston and District Basketball Association general manager Nathan Jolly said a funding pledge of an additional $250,000 from successful Dunkley federal Liberal candidate Chris Crewther was a major bonus.
Mr Jolly said the extra money — on top of the initial $12.45 million — would go towards retractable seating as part of stage one works and help create a first class facility.
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He said the association was working with council and architects on detailed designs due to be completed in the coming months.
Major construction works are due to start in early February 2017 and finish mid 2018.
“Frankston Basketball is working diligently with council in refining the building’s ultimate design with the project continuing to take shape,” Mr Jolly said.
“The vision still is to create the benchmark basketball facility that will be a game changing venue for our region and over 14,000 participants who call Frankston Basketball Stadium home.”
Frankston Basketball president Steve Ashley said it was essential the stadium was revamped.
“This week Frankston Basketball is hosting the University of Washington men’s basketball team, which contains a number of players touted as future NBA draftees,” he said.
“A sell out crowd is expected and further demonstrates the current inadequacies of Frankston Basketball’s 600 seat show court.”
Mr Ashley said the problem of turning people away from international level sport would be resolved thanks to new retractable seating.
Mayor James Dooley said the council would shortlist and invite a selected builder to tender for the project in September, with a contract for construction to be awarded late this year.
Cr Dooley said with more than 700 teams per week using the stadium, the council was excited the construction phase would start early next year.
“This has been a fantastic achievement of the community coming together to deliver a vital sports and recreation facility for the region,” he said.
Stage one of the project includes four new courts and 662 fixed seats with views to a show court plus another 1000 retractable seats.
Works also include change rooms and relocation of the basketball association administration.