Picture: BRITTANY DENTON
THE board of Basketball Mount Gambier has announced “in principle support” for its relocation to Mount Gambier City Council’s proposed $39.1m sport and recreation centre.
The city’s peak grassroots basketball association discussed the future of the sport at an open forum at Bern Bruning Stadium on Wednesday night.
A tabled discussion paper outlined the future infrastructure requirements for the association and its 600 playing members and considered three options – to relocate all operations to the proposed sport and recreation centre, to stay at the existing stadium and make no material changes to the facility or to stay at the stadium and undertake significant capital improvements.
The proposed sports hub has attracted a $15m federal allocation, however the council continues to lobby the State Government for a funding commitment.
The project will not go ahead without funding from all three tiers of government and is also contingent on the result of a community survey showing support for the facility.
While the vision for the proposed centre is yet to become a reality, Basketball Mount Gambier revealed earlier this week it was facing “growing challenges” to maintain the 50-year-old Bern Bruning Stadium in fit-for-purpose condition.
“If we stay, the reality is we need to upgrade our facilities and it will cost us at least $6m,” board member Jonathon Lillecrapp said at Wednesday’s meeting.
“Capital improvements we consider essential include the replacement of all existing toilets, change rooms and administration offices, recladding the external walls of the building and the construction of a fourth court.
“If we decide to relocate to the new rec centre we will not contribute towards capital costs – that will be covered by federal, state and local government – however hire costs could increase a few years down the track, that is an unknown at this stage.”
Overall hire cost at the proposed sports hub has been estimated at $160,000 per year, while the association would potentially save $70,000 per year as it would no longer be responsible for cleaning, insurance and maintenance at the Icehouse.
It would lose an estimated $40,000 in revenue per year given potential loss of income from the bar, canteen and hiring the facility for events.
“Matt Sutton has been on the council’s reference group contributing to the development process and at some point we need to declare our position as an organisation,” Mr Lillecrapp said.
“What impact a move would have on naming rights at the stadium and where we would display memorabilia is something we still need to discuss with council, because we do not want to lose the history of Basketball Mount Gambier.”
One member in the crowd suggested a $6m upgrade at the existing stadium would not be viable.
“We cannot really afford to complete a multi-million dollar upgrade, what will that do to fees?” she said.
“It is just not going to happen.”
Another member raised concerns about sharing courts with a number of sporting clubs.
“That is a worry when you go to another venue – there are lines everywhere and it is confusing to play and hard to referee,” he said.
Board member and city councillor Steve Perryman said plans for the six court facility included three FIBA standard courts with timber floors and three courts with a surface suitable for junior basketball.
“The surface of three of the courts is undecided, it might be suitable for junior grades but maybe not A grade games,” Mr Perryman said.
“The involvement Matt Sutton and Grant Horrigan have had through the design stage has meant the facilities have been designed for basketball as one of the major participators.
“However, if we decide not to relocate it would not necessarily stop the project from proceeding.
“What it does mean is if at some point in the future if we wish to relocate, basketball will be at the bottom of the rung because other sporting clubs will already be established there.”
Mr Lillecrapp said the Pioneers Basketball Club had been “taken out of the equation” when preparing the document.
“We are working on the assumption the Pioneers will no longer pay us hire fees if we stay here,” he explained.
“The future of the Pioneers will not impact on player fees going forward with any of the proposed options.”
The board will continue to engage with its members before making a formal decision.
