Premier Denis Napthine announced a $15 million redevelopment and expansion of the Wendouree Sports and Events Centre on Tuesday, which would include a 3000-seat basketball show court.

The NBL has agreed to schedule home and away games in Ballarat as part of the promise, should the Coalition win the election and fund a stadium. However, it is not known exactly when the home games would begin.

Labor had previously pledged $9 million for a similar project, although it did not come with a promise of NBL games.

Melbourne United, which was controversially rebranded from the once-famous Melbourne Tigers in May, will again hold a pre-season camp in Ballarat regardless of the election result as it looks to establish the city as a regional base.

Club chief executive officer Vince Crivelli said it became clear Ballarat would be a perfect second home when United held a pre-season camp in the city in August.

As part of that, the Minerdome was sold out for a practice match against Adelaide 36ers.

Crivelli said the only reason Ballarat was not already hosting NBL matches could be put down to just one thing – there was not a stadium big enough.

“There is an appetite for professional sport in Ballarat. The public has a lot of pride in its sport,” he said.

“The only reason we haven’t played an NBL game in Ballarat already is because of the venues.”

Ballarat looms as the only place outside Melbourne to host United.

Crivelli could not say when the first match would be held. It depended on when the stadium would be built.

The funding would be included in the re-elected Coalition government’s first budget and be provided to the City of Ballarat which would then decide on construction details.

It is likely the matches would be held in January when Melbourne United finds itself without a Melbourne home court for two weeks due to the Australian Tennis Open.

“I’d like to think we could sell out a venue in Ballarat. In fact, I’ll say I’d be disappointed if we didn’t,” Crivelli said.

“We could have anywhere from one to four matches. It just depends at this point.”

The United boss said the potential move would not have been possible without the hard work of Ballarat Basketball Association chief executive officer Peter Eddy.

patrick.nolan@fairfaxmedia.com.au