Newcastle to remain the regional home of basketball

Newcastle Basketball, City of Newcastle and State Member for Lake Macquarie Greg Piper announced today that a new $30 million basketball stadium will be built in Newcastle.

The NSW Government will fund construction of the regional-level indoor basketball facility in Newcastle, having committed an additional $5 million to an earlier $25 million pledge for a new stadium on Charlestown’s Hillsborough Road.

The new facility will be built on Crown Land managed by the City of Newcastle opposite the McDonald Jones Stadium in Broadmeadow. The 12-court stadium will be built in two stages; Phase one envisages the construction of up to eight courts, and phase two includes a show court for 2,000 spectators.

Lake Macquarie Independent MP Greg Piper, who secured the additional funding commitment from the NSW Government, said the facility would be a big boost for basketball in the region.

“I’m really glad the Government has agreed to this additional funding and I’m confident that Labor will top it up,” Mr Piper said.

“It’s a shame the stadium couldn’t be built on the originally intended site in Lake Macquarie, but this still gives us a first class regional facility accessible to everyone from Morisset to Port Stephens.

“We all know that building costs have increased by more than 20% in the past few years, so this extra money will ensure we get the regional facility we deserve and not a scaled down version of the original.”

“Not only will it cater for our next generation of basketball stars, but also for major events and sports tourism, so I’m thrilled to have received the $30 million needed to build this amazing regional facility.”

Newcastle Basketball President Kristi Faber said the new stadium will be one of the largest in Australia, serving the vast catchment area of ​​Newcastle, Port Stephens and Lake Macquarie.

“This is a great result for Newcastle basketball. We would like to thank Lake Macquarie State Member Mr. Greg Piper for his continued support of this project,” said Ms. Faber.

“The only thing preventing further growth is our existing stadium next to Broadmeadow station which is 53 years old and just too small to meet player demand.

“As we are currently using six seats, only two of which are full size, registrations for all of our competitions and programs are typically completed within a week. That means we turn children away literally every week of the year.

“This funding allows elite and amateur basketball to remain in Newcastle, the geographic center of our service area. The new location on Turton Road has excellent public transport links and plenty of accommodation and hospitality facilities to support national tournaments that are now coming to Newcastle.”

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the proposed development, directly opposite the Broadmeadow sports and entertainment district, would provide important new sports infrastructure for the community.

“For more than half a century, Newcastle has been the physical and spiritual home of basketball in this region, with a proud tradition of developing players who represent the sport at the highest level,” said Cr Nelmes.

“Today Newcastle Basketball’s ability to meet demand for the sport in the area has been limited by the aging stadium at Broadmeadow, which is no longer fit for purpose as local basketball rises in popularity.

“It will also provide a facility that will allow Newcastle to finally have a team in the Women’s National Basketball League.

“Newcastle will have a venue that can host not only a women’s professional team but also state and national basketball tournaments, which will boost tourism and bring positive economic benefits to local businesses.”

Home to Wallarah and Blackley Ovals, the Crown Land site is owned by the NSW Government and managed by the City of Newcastle.

Acting Executive Director for Creative and Community Services Lynn Duffy said the City of Newcastle is preparing a borough plan for the surrounding sports grounds, including Arthur Edden Oval, Ford Oval, Kentish Oval and Harker Oval, to ensure continued and equitable access to and the best Ensuring the use of sports facilities.

“The City of Newcastle will be working closely with the sports groups and other stakeholders currently using Wallarah and Blackley Ovals to ensure local training and club matches continue with minimal disruption,” said Ms Duffy.

Newcastle Basketball’s service area includes the state electorates of Lake Macquarie, Swansea, Newcastle, Charlestown, Wallsend and Port Stephens.

The new stadium was originally slated to be built on Hillsborough Road in Charlestown but was rejected by the Hunter and Central Coast Regional Planning Panel in May last year for a number of reasons.