Michaela Meade
Mill Park basketball stadium is set to get a “state of the art” redevelopment to address safety concerns and compliance issues.
The stadium is the largest within the municipality, and consists of a four-court complex at Redleap Recreation Reserve.
According to a council report, the forecourt of the stadium is presenting increased safety concerns.
According to Victoria Police data, crimes against the person have increased in the precinct from 13 between April 2018 to March 2019, to 20 between April 2019 to March 2020.
Property and deception offences increased from 44 to 73 in the same period.
Administrators recently approved the $3.42 million project, which will include major forecourt upgrades, aiming to improve safety, accessibility and general amenity. The state government will
Administrator Peita Duncan said she supported the redevelopment given the safety concerns.
“It will also allow for a number of sustainability measures, including the heating, cooling and water efficiency and solar PV… which is really fantastic.
“Once we’ve done this redevelopment and refurbishment, it will be a state of the art facility.”
The stadium plays a “pivotal role” in the delivery of basketball within the municipality and is home to the Whittlesea City Basketball Association, the council said.
According to the council, the association is expected to grow to 7000 members by the end of the decade.
Community wellbeing director Kate McCaughey said the stadium redevelopment was necessary due to high community demand.
“[The stadium is] open seven days a week, 9am to 10.30pm, and when you’re scheduling games that late in the day, it just is an indication of the considerable demand,” Ms McCaughey said.
“[This is a] major upgrade proposal… made possible by the state government’s Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program, which was released in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
