A new indoor sports stadium would be built at Donvale’s Mullum Mullum Reserve under a council proposal to meet rising demand for court space in Manningham.
The proposed centre would include from five to seven courts and has been welcomed by local sporting groups.
Warrandyte Basketball Association president Bruce De Lacy said there were not enough indoor sporting facilities in Manningham.
The association has more than 1000 members, with participation increasing by an average of 10 per cent each year.
“Three of the facilities we use are in Maroondah, so it’s a bit of an anomaly when you’re trying to cater for people in Manningham,” Mr De Lacy said.
“Parents and players have to travel a fair way and young players have to train late at night, which isn’t ideal when there’s school the next day.”
Mr De Lacy said that the association had been turning away people who wanted to compete because of the shortfall in facilities. He said that the new facility would also allow the association to conduct an all-abilities/disabled basketball competition.
The reserve is now used by Doncaster Hockey Club, Donvale Bowls Club and Currawong Tennis Club. Doncaster Hockey Club president Rob Henry backed the proposal. He said its players could use the indoor centre for training.
According to the council, Manningham needs an extra 15 courts to meet increasing demand for sports such as basketball, netball, gymnastics, badminton and table tennis.
Manningham mayor Jim Grivokostopoulos said the council was keen to address the shortfall.
“Not only will the proposed multipurpose facility at Mullum Mullum Reserve provide additional courts for our sporting clubs, it will also free up valuable space at Manningham’s other highball facilities,” he said.
Highball sports include badminton, basketball, indoor soccer, netball, table tennis and volleyball.
The council is now completing design work on the stadium with a final report expected to come before council in the middle of this year.
