New indoor recreational basketball courts can’t come soon enough for Melton Basketball Association and parents who are fed up with the lack of usable courts.
A leaking roof and damaged courts at Melton Recreation Centre threatened the cancellation of junior grand final games during a downpour on March 25. Games were rescheduled but parents have renewed calls for Melton council to fast-track plans for a new stadium which is still at least three years away from construction.
Christy Taylor, who was at the final, said an interim solution needs to be found fast.
“This is an indoor sport yet we are unable to play when it rains,” Ms Taylor told
Star Weekly.
“The facilities at the recreation centre are appalling and one court has already been deemed unsafe due to leaking/water damage.
“The council has put plans in place for a new stadium but we are looking at three years away.”
Basketball games are scheduled over three courts at Melton Recreation Centre and two courts at Heathdale Christian College.
“These issues will continue for the next three years while waiting for new functioning, safe courts for our youth,” Ms Taylor said.
A Basketball Victoria report released last year emphasised the need for more courts.
“Plans are in place to expand the Caroline Springs Stadium by three courts to a six-court facility, with the state government recently committing $2.5 million to the project,” the report stated. “There will be a shortfall of six courts across the city by 2022.
“The widespread nature of the major growth areas would indicate that these courts would be best achieved through development of up to three centres across the municipality.
“Land has been set aside in the Toolern Precinct Structure Plan for … the Melton South/Toolern Indoor Sports Centre.”
Council’s recreation and youth manager Troy Scoble said council was “planning for the future of indoor ball sports”.
“Council has now resolved that the Toolern Precinct is to be the site of a new five court high ball indoor court stadium,” Mr Scoble said.
The council is currently building two basketball courts at the Caroline Springs Leisure Centre.
