A business case proposes additional basketball courts at Bellarine Secondary College is taking shape

One of the region’s biggest basketball associations has taken some big strides towards building additional courts to meet increasing demand.

Conrangamite MP Libby Coker has committed to helping develop a business case for more courts for the Bellarine Peninsula Basketball Association. Picture: Alan Barber

A new business case proposing an extension of Bellarine Secondary College for additional indoor basketball courts is expected to be finalised in the next few months.

The Bellarine Peninsula Basketball Association has been working on the blueprint amid promising meetings with Bellarine MP Alison Marchant and the Federal member for Corangamite Libby Coker.

In a recent social media post, the BPBA said there was currently a “critical court shortage” across the region, and the case will illustrate the “critical need” for additional indoor courts to meet strong participation numbers.

The association’s own data shows summer and winter registrations have remained steady over the past 12 months, from 2844 to 2788, and 2570 to 2480 respectively.

BPBA general manager Nick Stamatopoulos said the association was excited about the progress being made in recent months.

The Bellarine Peninsula Basketball Association is short of courts. Picture: Bellarine Storm.

“We’ve had very positive discussions with the planning group, the school, and the City of Greater Geelong, and we anticipate having the business case completed within the next three to four months,” Stamatopoulos said.

“Alison and Libby are well aware of the current court shortages, and they have expressed their support for future projects aimed at resolving this issue in the Bellarine Peninsula.

“(The business case) will provide details on our current participation numbers, projected future demand, initial concept plans, and estimated costs.

“It will also outline the significant community, economic, and public health benefits this expansion would deliver.

“Our main priority is to ensure that local children and families can continue to engage in sports without being restricted by the current facility limitations.

“Furthermore, the expansion would enable the Bellarine Peninsula to host larger sporting events and accommodate future growth in participation.

Player registration numbers have remained steady over the past 12 months. Picture: Bellarine Storm.

“While the specific figures will be detailed in the business case, we are confident that any new facility will be fully utilized from day one with basketball games, training sessions, and programs for the community.”

Marchant said the BPBA simply don’t have enough courts with too many juniors having byes to cater for high numbers of players.

“It’s been a priority and on my agenda for at least two years, I’ve met with Basketball Victoria, Bellarine Storm, the association and all the clubs several times,” Marchant said.

“The BPBA had a wish list for more courts, but there really wasn’t a costed business case or an infrastructure plan to say exactly how much it’s going to cost.

“Now with the association developing a infrastructure business case, and with all clubs on the same page, we recently met, discussed the next steps and in coming months, the association will be able to come back to me, demonstrating the exact funding needed for future basketball courts.”

Meanwhile, Marchant was disappointed the City of Greater Geelong had not applied for the state government’s Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund – applications for round two closed in March – speaking about it in parliament, calling it a “missed opportunity”.

“Most of the clubs are using either council facilities or school gyms. Schools are obviously tied up during the day, as the schools are using them, which is really hard for the clubs to have a home base,” she said.

“My avenues for state funding for sporting infrastructure is usually through grants such as these where councils need to apply for their own facility upgrades, or advocate for school funding where we can support another school a gym ... which would also support basketball courts.

“It’s certainly a priority for myself, and I know a collaborative approach is needed and the councils really need to get their skates on to be part of the solution.”

Bellarine Storm's Chantelle Hall. Picture: Wes Cusworth.

In a statement, Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj said the council had submitted applications to upgrade Elderslie and Aldershot reserves.

“Projects submitted for (the fund) require projects to be shovel ready, and requires significant co-contribution from council to ensure eligibility,” Kontelj said.

“A new indoor stadium to facilitate basketball, pickleball, and badminton would cost around $30m, but the maximum funding available under this program was only $3m.

“We would have been delighted to submit more applications, including for facilities on the Bellarine, but the fund is extremely limited and simply hasn’t kept up with recent rises in construction costs.

“I appreciate interest in developing basketball courts on the Bellarine and would welcome constructive ongoing conversations with the State Government.

“The city will continue to assess projects of this nature against the eligibility requirements of grant funding programs, and make applications as appropriate.

“We will definitely be advocating for the funding of these vital sports facilities ahead of next year’s state election.”

Libby Coker and Richard Marles at a Labor post-election event at St Albans Football Club. Picture: Alan Barber

Coker has publicly committed to the preparation of the business case and funding submissions, saying a united approach was paramount.

“Basketball is one of the fastest-growing sports in our region, and I understand the clear need for more courts,” Ms Coker said in a recent statement.

“The first step is a strong, community-backed business case. Once we have that, we can work on securing the necessary funding.”

Meanwhile, Surfcoast Basketball Association received $500,000 of federal money for new retractable seating for 500 fans.

Originally published as A business case proposes additional basketball courts at Bellarine Secondary College is taking shape