Urgent need for two more courts

However Warragul and District Amateur Basketball Association president Danny Murnane said the need for new courts was immediate, with all courts almost at capacity for its weekly domestic competitions.

Basketball Victoria launched its facilities strategy last week. The strategy aims to address the significant indoor court shortage within the Victorian sporting community.

The Basketball Victoria Facility Master Plan 2017 found that with 8.39 per cent of Baw Baw Shire’s population registered as Basketball Victoria members, an additional two courts in the Warragul and Drouin area were required in the medium to longer term.

“The continuing population growth in the shire requires a further two courts to be developed within the next five years.

“If located at the Warragul Centre, along with improved amenity, this provides the opportunity for the facility to undertake a sub-regional facility role,” the plan states.

Warragul and District Amateur Basketball Association president Danny Murnane said with courts almost maxed out each week, there was an immediate need for more courts.

“If we had one more senior team for the summer competition, we would have had to knock them back and in our juniors, we are nearly at capacity there,” he said.

“Our junior clubs are using schools, and Yarragon are training outside.

“There is definitely a need for two courts now.”

Mr Murnane agreed a subregional facility with multiple courts would be an ideal outcome, as it would reduce costs of paying court supervisors and in turn take pressure off player fees.

He said the association would again rely heavily on local schools for its February tournament in February, which is expected to generate $115,000 of expenditure in Baw Baw Shire.

He said works to prevent leaking of the Warragul Leisure Centre roof had almost been complete.

“Council is trying, they are getting there, I will give them that,” Mr Murnane said.

Baw Baw Shire Council has claimed errors have been made pertaining to Baw Baw Shire in Basketball Victoria’s plan, saying that Drouin’s Bellbird Park has not been included.

“Council has since contacted Basketball Victoria to provide some clarification on the matter,” a spokesperson said.

“Baw Baw Shire Council has also been working on a draft indoor stadium feasibility study for some time now.

“The draft study is still a work-in-progress and is yet to be taken to council for adoption.”

The study outlines a summary of the key findings and strategic direction which provides some proposed development options, including upgrades to include two additional courts at either Warragul Leisure Centre or Drouin’s Bellbird Park.

“A ‘Have your Say’ process was supported and ran from May 12 to June 2 with 95 submissions received,” the Baw Baw Shire spokesperson said.

“Council has been briefed on the feedback received through the submissions and is still working through the next steps on this project with another briefing scheduled in the new year.”

With an expected average cost of $3.5 million per new court, indoor sport currently faces a $945m shortfall within Victoria.

To view the Basketball Victoria Facility Master Plan 2017 in full, visit the Basketball Victoria website.