APRIL 16, 2019 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
news + sport + property guide
Courts hit and miss By Ewen McRae Basketball facilities across the region are being stretched to breaking point. While a new six-court stadium at Cobblebank is slated to be built shortly, registrations across Melton are growing at such a rate the local association says it will soon outgrow the new stadium. Melton Basketball Association president Daniel Brady said the new stadium would be welcome, but an upgrade could be needed soon after it is finished. “We desperately need these six courts, but basically by the time you build six we’ll need eight, by the time you build eight we’ll need 10,” Mr Brady said. “We’re very thankful to the council for getting us this stadium, but we’ve got a new club coming in with more teams so the need is always growing. “Quality courts are what we need. When we use the rec centre and there’s a downpour the roof leaks, so that’s a bit of a drama, and we’re renting at a couple of schools, so we go
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Shell be right for Easter
By the time you build six, we’ll need eight
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Thousands of people are expected to flock to Lake Caroline this weekend for an egg-cellent day of family fun. The annual Caroline Springs Easter Family Fun Day on Saturday will offer an afternoon of fun for everyone. Organised by INChurch Melbourne, the event is in its fifth year. INChurch Melbourne pastor Craig Maher said he and wife Melissa started the event after moving to Caroline Springs. “One of the things we noticed straight away was there weren’t any community events offering low-cost, family-friendly entertainment,” he said. About 5000 people attended last year’s event. Saturday’s fun will feature inflatable games for the kids, a petting zoo, face-painting and live music. There will also be a free show bag with an Easter egg for each child. Entry is free. Wrist bands for unlimited inflatable games can be purchased for children aged three to 15. The event will run at the Lake Caroline Foreshore Park from 11am-3pm. Details: bit.ly/2GepCFB Joshua, 6
Laura Michell
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wherever we can to get kids on courts. “This new stadium will help bring us into the 21st century, but we will still have to use the rec centre and other courts in order to meet demand.” The next stage of the Cobblebank stadium has been funded in the recent draft council budget. Councillor Sophie Ramsey raised the courts issue at the recent council meeting and was told by council officers the Cobblebank site could not accommodate more than six courts. The Melton Basketball Association currently has 1500 registrations, with most of those from junior players. Mr Brady said they have had to restrict certain programs due to a facility strain. “We’re already capped at what we can do growth-wise,” he said. “Our Aussie Hoops program, which is the same as Auskick, is booked through the roof, we’ve already added an extra night for that. There’s exponential growth in basketball across Melton. “If this is a two-year build for a new facility, we could be petitioning governments straight away to get more upgrades to help us out.”
(Joe Mastroianni)
- Daniel Brady
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