The Hills Sports Stadium will undergo a $3.25 million expansion following a deal between the Hills Basketball Association and The Hills Shire Council.

Under the expansion, the four-court stadium at Fred Caterson Reserve will receive new offices, additional car parking and two new courts, including a 500-seat grandstand.

The council agreed at its regular council meeting last week to a 20-year lease and $3.25 million loan to the HBA.

Hills Shire mayor Andrew Jefferies said many young players had honed their talents at the stadium over the years, and the agreement would offer “more locals the chance to learn, play and excel at basketball”.

“HBA have done an excellent job running the Sports Stadium over the last 20 years and that’s why Council was happy to provide a loan for the expansion of this well-used facility,” he said.

The HBA is currently one of the biggest basketball associations in the state, with about 4,500 members and a waiting list for most teams and events.

HBA general manager Steve Burke said the expansion would allow the association to take a “giant leap forward” in terms of its member numbers.

“Basketball has always been popular in the Hills but its growth has intensified over recent times and that’s why this expansion is so needed,” he said.

“We’ve been operating at capacity for a number of years and with a growing population, the case for extra courts is a compelling one.

“I believe our challenge will not be in filling the facility but rather in dealing with close on 50 per cent growth in a short period of time.”

While a start date for the expansion is yet to be confirmed, Mr Burke said the final paperwork and planning would soon be completed, paving the way for construction to begin.

 

dailytelegraph.com.au

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