Letter from the President
Tim Bower
February 2024
I trust that everyone has had a positive start to 2024 and like me very much looking forward to the year ahead.
I wish to take this opportunity to provide you with a strategic update on our basketball Association.
Facility redevelopment:
Over the last few years, we have been working tirelessly advocating to each level of government for investment in our ageing stadium. The exciting news is that we have successfully secured $60M worth of funding and I can confirm that the redevelopment is happening!!!
The redevelopment will include 4 additional basketball courts (making us a 10-court stadium), a new show court with retractable seating for up to 1000 people, an upstairs function room and viewing area over the show court, complete refurbishment of existing facilities including a long overdue upgrade to bathrooms and change rooms. The Bayside Gymnastics club will also have the stadium as a base.
Williams Ross Architects who were the architects for both PARC and Jubilee Park have been appointed by the council for the redevelopment and we have seen that Jubilee Park is a magnificent facility. We were involved in our first meeting with the Architects and Council last week and it’s extremely exciting to see what is possible with the redevelopment of the stadium. We anticipate that the building will commence in early 2025 with completion in approximately 18 months.
I would like to acknowledge and thank the funding partners for the basketball redevelopment, the Frankston City Council for contributing $30M, with significant advocacy by State Labor MP Paul Edbrooke the State Labor Government is contributing $15M, and the Federal Labor Government is contributing $15M due to the amazing efforts and advocacy by the late Peta Murphy. The FDBA will be forever grateful for the contribution Peta has made to our association and the Frankston community, her legacy isn’t necessarily in the funding secured for many local projects but the incredible mark she left on so many lives, she was truly an amazing and inspiring person. I take this opportunity on behalf of the FDBA BoM and our membership to send our love and support to Peta’s husband Rod, Peta’s parents, and family.
Car Park
The establishment of the multi-level 330-space car park on the site of the old Kingston car yard is now well underway with the anticipated completion date being late 2024. The car park is being funded by Frankston City Council and the then Morrison Liberal Government and will provide free parking for public transport commuters, and importantly provide additional car parking for patrons utilizing our stadium. I can appreciate the inconvenience this build is causing with greatly reduced car park spaces, and I thank you for your patience during this period.
FDBA
Many people have inquired about our CEO Wayne Holdsworth after the tragic loss of his 17-year-old son Mac to suicide late last year. Wayne had some time away in the last week of October and first week of November 2023 recovering and spending time with his family. Wayne has returned to work with a strong focus on the FDBA business, particularly ensuring the facility is built for the basketball community and future-proofs our association.
The inclusion programs he has championed including Walking Basketball, Wheelchair basketball, Men’s shed gliding, disengaged youth program, and very recently the Country’s first Vision impaired basketball are a testament to the work he and the team have done in recent times to offer basketball to everyone. Wayne is also focused on the provision of a community program that will impact positively young people’s lives who may be struggling. On Sunday April 7th Basketball Victoria has dedicated the NBL1 round to Mental Health, here at Frankston will be calling it “Macs Round”, your support for this would be greatly appreciated.
Enjoy your basketball.
Tim Bower
President
FDBA