Related:
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
HORSHAM Amateur Basketball Association has reaffirmed its opposition to the Wimmera Sports Stadium proposal.
It comes after a business case and concept design report was released for the new multi-use indoor sports stadium.
Basketball association president Owen Hughan said the group did not oppose a new sports stadium, but the proposal.
He said the main issue was the affordability.
“We run our stadium at $10 an hour, but they’re suggesting a tiered tariff system and we have worked out that we are paying an extra $60,000 a year,” he said.
The report proposed hiring fees ranging between $15 and $30 an hour depending on use.
Mr Hughan said the association disagreed with charging players more in order to cover the expense.
“The problem in sport today is that it’s getting too dear and when you get to that stage you start losing people,” he said.
Mr Hughan said retaining autonomy was also a concern.
“We understand how to run basketball and have proven that by keeping the sport viable and developing it in itself at a price people can afford,” he said.
The report indicated the initial preference was for a council-managed stadium with input from existing user groups.
It stated this model would allow the building to be viewed as a community stadium rather than one that caters for specific sports.
Mr Hughan said the association would not be involved under the current proposal and advised council to remove their name from any grant application.
Council technical services director John Martin said he would meet with the association to discuss the latest information.
He said the association’s response did not reflect the new information presented in the final business case.
“The reality is that there is detailed information to discuss face-to-face – the key thing being the tiered tariff for different users of the stadium,” he said.