The Geelong Sports Hub to enter partnership with a basketball provider amid a $7m upgrade

Further details have been revealed about a $7m upgrade of one of Geelong’s most popular indoor sports centres.

Geelong Sports Hub will enter into a partnership for basketball at the centre. Picture: Geelong Sports Hub.

Basketball will be a bigger focus at the expense of netball at the revamped Geelong Sports Hub with works expected to begin in April next year.

Hub director Matthew Smith said the $7m project was anticipated to be wrapped up by the end of 2025.

The South Geelong centre currently caters for beach volleyball, indoor soccer, basketball and netball, with plans for its upgrade revealed last October.

However, the number of basketball courts will drop from six to four while retaining the seven beach volleyball courts.

Initially, the Hub itself was going to maintain and manage the remaining four basketball courts, but have since entered a partnership with another party.

The Hub is hoping to announce further details on the partnership in the near future.

“They really share our vision ... (they) have the same ambition as us,” Smith said of the partnership.

“We believe it’s really going to be an elite training centre, while also providing for the social punters.

The Geelong Sports Hub will enter into a partnership with another party to basketball facilities. Photo: Facebook.

“A one-stop shop from grassroots level to elite sport, from entry to national level coaching and the ability to work with elite coaches on getting your body right and preventing injuries.

“It’s a holistic approach … for all of your sporting needs.”

However, netball is not expected to be provided after the works are completed.

“Unfortunately we will end up losing netball,” Smith said.

“We really struggled to maintain a healthy competition, just with the seasonal nature (of the sport) and the size of the facility.

“There’s people undertaking a bit of work behind the scenes, I believe netball will be in good hands.

“We’re still running netball until April at this point.

“If unforeseen circumstances arise with the build the current netball could be extended.”

Works are not expected to impact on access.

The Hub is also expected to provide a 25m swimming pool, two upstairs office space, a 24-hour gym which includes all aspects of recovery, with physiotherapists and dietitians.

There will also be a large commercial kitchen and an L-shaped viewing section for basketball and beach volleyball and an outdoor alfresco area.

Originally published as The Geelong Sports Hub to enter partnership with a basketball provider amid a $7m upgrade