The $132m project – funded by a co-contribution from the Victorian Government ($105m) and Knox City Council ($27m) – will help solidify the future growth of community basketball and nurture the development of Victorian and National High-Performance pathways. Once completed in 2023, the venue will host up to two million visitors per year.
Based in Wantirna South – located in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs, home to one-quarter of all Australian basketball participants – the redevelopment will turn the State Basketball Centre into Australia’s premier basketball facility.
The State Basketball Centre redevelopment will deliver:
- 12 new indoor courts, increasing total stadium size to 18 courts
- New High Performance basketball training and administration facilities, including WNBL and NBL teams
- New administration facilities to support Basketball Victoria, Knox Basketball , Basketball Australia, South East Melbourne Phoenix and Deakin Melbourne Boomers
- New food and beverage facilities
- A town square
- Car parking upgrades and landscaping
- A regional gymnastics facility
The State Basketball Centre will become the long-term home of Knox Basketball Inc. and the additional 12 courts will assist the growth of its 11,000 members as well as facilitate the operation of large tournaments and events.
The centre will provide upgraded High Performance facilities to support the training and development of Victorian, Australian and professional athletes from both tenant teams – the WNBL Deakin Melbourne Boomers and NBL South East Melbourne Phoenix.
An expanded administration base will also be constructed for Basketball Victoria, Knox Basketball Inc, Basketball Australia, the Boomers and Phoenix to become the pinnacle of Australian basketball management facilities.
“We’re thrilled to see construction commence on the State Basketball Centre redevelopment,” Basketball Victoria CEO Nick Honey said. “This project will provide increased opportunities for participants across Melbourne’s south-east and give a wonderful home to our organisation to help continue our work in the community.
“Basketball Victoria would like to thank the Victorian Government and Knox City Council for their significant investment into the future of Victorian basketball.”
“Victoria is the epicentre of basketball in Australia, and our state centre will now become the largest in the country,” Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula said. “It’s a great result for players of all ages and standards and means the future of the game in Victoria is strong.”
“Melbourne’s south-east is fanatical for basketball and these courts will become enmeshed in the lives of so many young people in coming years, Member for Monbulk and Deputy Premier James Merlino said. “It’s fantastic to see this ground-breaking project get up and running.”
Construction on the redevelopment started in September 2021 and all current courts will remain available for activity and games during the redevelopment.
