Crocs boss wants replay
THE founder of the Townsville Crocodiles is calling on a young businessperson to get a National Basketball League team back in the city.
George Colbran was the man in charge of the Crocs until 2013, as chairman of Barrier Reef Basketball.
The company handed back their licence to the NBL but it was saved under a community- run model. However, the club folded in April 2016, much to the disappointment of Townsville’s basketball community.
Mr Colbran wants the club back in the city.
“I’m waiting for the next generation of business people that think they could have another national basketball team in Townsville,” he said.
“I’m hoping that one day there will be another group that can start up the Crocs and make it successful.
“You only have to look at last year’s effort with the Heat – we have talented people here who can put up good basket- ball teams and it happens every year with the Fire too.”
The Crocs founder said many people in Townsville would love to see a team started again.
“It just needs someone with the money to get it up again,” he said.
Mr Colbran’s plea comes as the Crocs’ former training court looks set to be transformed into a church.
A development application has been lodged for the former indoor basketball centre in Stuart Drive, Wulguru.
Barrier Reef Basketball still owns the facility.
However, it is under contract to Kingdom Care Limited.
Mr Colbran said selling the property was a way for Barrier Reef Basketball to wind up its operations.
“Over the last few years it has just been soaking up money with rates and maintenance,” he said.
“It has been continually using up funds Barrier Reef Basketball does not really have.”
Mr Colbran was hopeful the development application was approved by Townsville City Council, so the purchase could go through. “Unfortunately there won’t be much left for shareholders as we haven’t been able to achieve a reasonable price on the property,” he said.
The application is on public notification – meaning people can comment – until June 1.
“The proposal involves no new building work, other than internal fit out,” the application reads.
“The new use will occupy the existing single storey multipurpose indoor recreation building and utilise the existing car parking, vehicle manoeuvring areas, site access and landscaping, all of which are sufficient to service the needs of the use.”
Barrier Reef Basketball tried to auction the property in March 2015 but Mr Colbran said they received no offers.
RP Data information shows they were asking for offers of more than $ 2 million.
This price continually dropped, with offers about $ 1 million now being sought by Colliers International.
The property has been on the market for 1759 days.
Mr Colbran said they used to worship basketball there so it might be appropriate.