Basketball Ballarat has been working on plans to better share the Minerdome and its showcourt with redevelopment of the neighbouring Ballarat Sports and Events Centre underway.

Talks include the potential for four competition courts for Volleyball Ballarat to grow its junior competitions and create a training base and hub at the Minerdome from mid-next year.

Basketball Ballarat is also seeking a loan through the Sport and Recreation Victoria community scheme for facility upgrades to the Minerdome to bring the venue to a standard of showcasing an array of all-ability sport.

The loan application is made with support of Basketball Victoria and City of Ballarat, which is also applying for a maximum $10 million to fast-track women’s sport priorities.

Minerdome manager Mark Valentine said a lack of court space for so long had restricted Basketball Ballarat’s ability to expand all-abilities sports.

Wheelchair basketball, featuring competitors like Commonwealth Games racer Sam Rizzo, tended to be relegated to limited time on a non-compliant court in the badminton stadium next door.

Proposed Minerdome upgrades would be based on universal design access to improve transport drop-off zones, automated doors and suitable change facilities. It could also include upgrades for a lift to the upper viewing area and meeting rooms which, at the moment, are only available via an aging lift and through a licensed area.

“With the limited recreational opportunities available, wheelchair-bound people run the risk of having higher than average obesity levels and incurring higher health costs over their lifetimes,” Mr Valentine said. “Active recreation and organised sport for this group is a key factor to turn this around and improving lifestyle, fitness and self-esteem.”

Basketball Ballarat aims to build on a mobile pilot program it developed last year for introducing primary and secondary students to wheelchair sports. The program promotes respect for wheelchair athletes. 

Mr Valentine said, if successful, there was potential to develop Paralympic sports, vision and hearing impaired sports and Special Olympics at the venue.

Basketball Ballarat was awarded management rights for BSEC in May. The finished BSEC will add six courts and become the new home for the region’s top basketball and netball programs.

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