A new stadium with five indoor basketball courts has been earmarked for Toolern, while Caroline Springs Stadium will be expanded from three courts to six under plans unveiled by Melton council.
Melton council has been working on plans to increase the number of indoor – or “high ball” – courts that can accommodate basketball, netball, volleyball and badminton.
Melton recreation and youth manager Troy Scoble said council was planning for the future, with the current joint use agreement providing access to the existing Melton Indoor Recreation Centre, owned by the state government, expiring in December, 2019.
“While council will still seek to provide the community access to this facility post-2019, council has been busy planning for the future of indoor ball sports in the Melton township and surrounds for beyond that period,” he
said.
“Council has now resolved that the Toolern precinct is to be the site of a new five-court high ball indoor court stadium.
“Council will consider funding to commence the planning and design work for a new stadium as part of decisions to be made regarding the 2018-19 capital projects budget.”
Plans are already in place to expand Caroline Springs Stadium from three courts to six, with the state government recently committing $2.5 million to the project.
The Toolern plans come after Basketball Victoria last week released its Victoria Facility Master Plan, which highlights facility development and expansion required for the future of basketball across Victoria.
Basketball Victoria chief executive Nick Honey said Victorian basketball was booming, putting pressure on indoor facilities.
“Without further intervention, basketball associations across the state will struggle to meet the increasing demand,” he said.
Melton residents currently have access to nine courts across four stadiums, including Caroline Springs Stadium, Heathdale College Melton, Melton Indoor Recreation Centre and Melton Victoria University.
By Dewi Sherry
