After a title-winning season by the Shepparton Gators and a record number of participants in the Greater Shepparton Basketball Association, Shepparton’s basketball fever is at an all-time high.
Unfortunately, there is a grey line, as the recent success has shone a spotlight on Greater Shepparton’s stadium facilities, which many in our region believe are lagging behind.
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With hundreds of fans sent home due to capacity issues in the Gators’ recent Big V grand final, and court availability struggling to keep up with a huge influx of players, calls for funding for an upgrade to the Shepparton Sports Stadium have gained momentum.
The News has decided to test the perception that our stadium is not up to standard.
We’ve reached out to other cities and towns around Victoria to chat with them about their basketball stadium and have asked community leaders about how they feel about their facilities.
We’ve compiled them into a list and stacked them up against the Shepparton Sports Stadium for you to be the judge.
Shepparton
Population: 51,000.
Venue: Shepparton Sports Stadium.
Capacity: 400 seats.
Facilities: Four courts, table tennis facilities and a canteen.
Last major upgrade: 1992. Two new courts and a multi-purpose room.
City of Greater Shepparton City Mayor Shane Sali:
“This upgrade is high on the priority list and a major project, which we will continue advocating for.
“As it stands now, we want to see state government contribution for the Shepparton Sports and Events Stadium upgrade.
“We feel this project would have huge regional benefits, and we will be loud and clear about how important we feel it is for these funds to be allocated.”
State Member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe:
“The community has totally outgrown the current facility and both Basketball Victoria and the Greater Shepparton City Council have nominated this project as one of their highest priorities.
“You can’t get a seat at a Gators game with the current limited seating capacity, and Shepparton is missing out on national and state basketball tournaments due to the facility not being up to standard.”
Bendigo
Population: 103,000.
Venue: Red Energy Arena.
Capacity: 4000 seats with a 300-seat VIP Mezzanine.
Facilities: 10 courts, restaurant, sports bar and café.
Last major upgrade: 2019. New air conditioning and heating, new main court and seating.
City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Andrea Metcalf:
“The City of Greater Bendigo is really proud of the fact it has been able to build the show court/multi-court Bendigo Stadium (Red Energy Arena).
“It is a facility as much for grass-roots sport as it is professional sport.
“It’s a facility that sets us apart as a regional centre and helps to make Bendigo an attractive proposition when bidding for opportunities to bring events of all kinds to central Victoria.”
Warragul
Population: 23,000.
Venue: Warragul Leisure Centre Stadium.
Capacity: 400 new seats being built.
Facilities: Two courts, outdoor pools, café.
Last major upgrade: A 2022 $11 million expansion is scheduled to finish in 2024. Two new courts, new spectator seats and a lounge area, new café and kitchen.
Baw Baw Shire Mayor Annemarie McCabe:
“The Warragul Leisure Centre expansion project will deliver much-needed infrastructure for our growing Baw Baw Shire community, in particular for basketball, which has one of the highest participation numbers of any sport in our shire.
“With the construction of two new indoor courts, increased spectator seating and facility and player amenity upgrades, the transformed multi-use facility will better service our community now and into the future.”
Ballarat
Population: 116,000.
Venue: Selkirk Stadium/Wendouree Indoor Sports Centre.
Capacity: 3000 seats.
Facilities: Show court, six indoor courts, high-performance centre (gym and strength and conditioning centre), three 3x3 outdoor basketball courts, retail store with basketball and netball equipment, café, lounge with bar food and drinks.
Last update: 2022. $9 million in 2019 for the six new courts, $5 million in 2022 for the outdoor 3on3 courts.
City of Ballarat former mayor and current councillor Daniel Moloney:
“This second stage of development for the Selkirk Stadium is very much aligned to one of our key Council Plan 2021-2025 goal initiatives of a healthy, connected and inclusive community.
“It showcases Ballarat’s investment in supporting sport for everyone.
“In particular, it recognises the need to foster youth sport and sports options, for long-term social, recreational and economic benefit.
“This is a development that shows our commitment to basketball in Ballarat.”
Albury
Population: 53,000.
Venue: Lauren Jackson Sports Centre.
Capacity: 1000 (tripling in new expansion).
Facilities: Five courts, extensive kiosk facilities.
Last update: $14.7 million plan announced in 2018 with completion by 2025.
At least three new courts, new change rooms, capacity increased to 3000, 50m pool and gym.
Albury City Mayor Kylie King:
“We are currently in the planning stages for a major upgrade, which will deliver a new playing surface, player and family-accessible change rooms, increased show court seating capacity, and new meeting room and corporate space.
“These upgrades will ensure the facility retains its standing in the region, continuing to attract high-profile tournaments from across NSW and Victoria.
“It gives us the opportunity to further support our regional sporting community and drive increased participation in sport, as well as taking advantage of the economic boost that increased visitation brings to our city.”
Pakenham
Population: 54,000.
Venue: Cardinia Life Leisure Centre.
Capacity: 500 seats.
Facilities: Eight courts, 25m swimming pool, gym and aerobics room, a crèche and canteen.
Last update: 2009. Four new courts and the swimming pool. This year a plan and design has been put forward as a proposal for a future redevelopment.
Cardinia Shire Council’s acting manager Sam Cross:
“Cardinia Life was constructed in 2006 and includes a 4 indoor court stadium, indoor pools, health club, multi-purpose program rooms and change rooms, kiosk and retail space and a crèche.
“Cardinia Life is much-loved, and Cardinia Shire Council has identified the need to redevelop the facility as it has reached capacity due to population growth and increased usage.”
A Victorian Government spokesperson said as part of the $2 billion Regional Package, an additional $100 million would be invested into regional community sport to improve participation and infrastructure in places such as Shepparton.
The spokesperson said the government encouraged Greater Shepparton City Council to continue liaising with Sport and Recreation Victoria to develop a proposal for consideration through future funding opportunities to upgrade local sporting facilities.
Cadet Journalist