By Parker McKenzie
Upgrades to the Knox Basketball Centre in Wantirna South are well underway with a 1250-tonne structural steel “skeleton” now being installed.
The installation is part of an $132 million project which includes the creation of performance training and administration facilities capable of hosting WNBL and NBL teams, 12 new community-accessible courts and gymnastics facilities.
Bayswater MP Jackson Taylor said he was proud to see the home of basketball being built in Knox.
“The amazing facilities will support thousands of locals to dream big and get involved and the state-of-the-art centre will welcome nearly two million visitors annually, who’ll also be able to enjoy a new town square space,” he said.
“Basketball is huge in Victoria, and we’re investing so more people can enjoy taking part in the sport they love, our top teams can train and be their best, and local sports have top-class facilities.”
The centre is home to the Knox Raiders, who compete in the NBL1 South. The stadium also houses the offices of Basketball Australia, Basketball Victoria, the Melbourne Boomers WNBL team, South East Melbourne Phoenix NBL team and Knox Basketball Incorporated. It currently seats 3,200 people on the show court and has six other courts that can also host netball games.
The upgrade is being jointly funded through $27 million from Knox City Council and $105 million from the state government.
Knox Mayor Susan Laukens said the project was the council’s biggest ever investment in sporting facilities.
“Knox Basketball has nearly 1000 teams competing every week and is one of the largest basketball associations in Australia,” she said.
“Knox Gymnastics often has waiting lists for young people and their families. This new home will be purpose-built for them and will allow more local children and adults to take part in gymnastics.”
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos said the government is supporting “the next generation of sporting champions and the communities behind them, ensure Victorian have access to first-class sporting facilities across the state.”
“Basketball is huge in Victoria, and we’re investing so more people can enjoy taking part in the sport they love, our top teams can train and be their best, and local sports have top-class facilities.” He said.
The steel skeleton being installed was made using steel manufactured in Victoria, with 90 per cent of the project being made with local materials and 10 per cent of the total estimated work hours being delivered by apprentices, trainees and cadets according to the state government.
Minister for Industry Support and Recovery Ben Carroll said they are putting local jobs first throughout the upgrade.
“We know how important it is to support Victorian businesses to win work on the major projects we are delivering for communities across Victoria,” he said.
The State Basketball Centre opened in 2012 and cost $27 million to build. It is located at the Knox Regional Sports Park, 291 George Street Wantirna South.
