By BRAD McGRATH
HAMPTON Park Basketball Association has been left in limbo with its stadium desperately needing repairs.
The stadium’s management was recently taken over by Hampton Park Secondary College, which closed the facility because it believed it was unsafe.
But the closure means Hampton Park Basketball Association and the South Eastern Filipino Basketball League of Australia have nowhere to play their competitions, which were due to begin over the weekend.
Hampton Park Secondary College principal David Finnerty said the school was doing everything in its power to get the stadium to a level where play could resume.
He said limited funding and Basketball Stadiums Victoria’s lack of maintenance during its tenure had left no option but a temporary closure of the stadium, which is on the school’s premises.
“The roof of the stadium poses a threat to any people in the hall,” he said. “We’ve already sought quotations and as I indicated we’re working with Hampton Park Basketball Association and the local council to get this situation fixed.”
The Journal spoke to several concerned members of the Hampton Park Basketball Association who believe Hampton Park Secondary College is holding them to ransom.
They say the college is demanding they foot the bill for the stadium repairs and public liability insurance.
Hampton Park Basketball Association committee member Colin Sires said it was crucial for the area that the stadium was reopened quickly.
“The games are due to start this weekend but they won’t go ahead this weekend,” he said. “The junior competition is what we’re more concerned about — a lot of the kids walk to the stadium and those kids will probably end up playing around on the streets.”
Mr Finnerty said a meeting was due to take place between all parties this week in an attempt to remedy the situation. “There is not a lockout of anyone and the facility when we took it over was absolutely filthy,” he said.
“We’re trying to work with all parties with very limited funding to get it right. Sport, particularly in this area, has a crucial role to play and it gives kids an outlet where they can absolutely enjoy themselves.”
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