THE board of Basketball Mount Gambier has announced “in principle support” for its relocation to the proposed $39.1m sport and recreation centre.
The city’s peak grassroots basketball association revealed earlier this month it will struggle to maintain the 50 year old Bern Bruning Stadium in fit-for-purpose condition for its 600 playing members.
The board recently discussed the future of the sport with its members at an open forum and a tabled discussion paper considered three scenarios.
To relocate all of the 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 to bring the stadium up to an acceptable standard.
If Basketball Mount Gambier relocates to the proposed sports hub, overall hire cost has been estimated at $160,000 per year.
The association would potentially save $70,000 per year as it would no longer be responsible for cleaning, insurance and facility maintenance at the Bern Bruning Stadium, however it would lose an estimated $40,000 per year given potential loss of income from the bar, canteen and hiring the facility to the Pioneers and other sporting clubs.
Capital improvements considered essential if basketball remains at the Ice House include replacement of the existing amenities, replacement of administration facilities, external cladding to all walls, extension to include a fourth court and internal refurbishments.
The capital cost for improvements at the existing stadium is estimated at “well above” $6m.
The board will continue to engage with its members before making a formal decision.
