A CONTRACT worth nearly $50 million has been awarded for the redevelopment of the Frankston Basketball and Gymnastics Stadium. The preferred option for the project, which features six new basketball courts and a dedicated gymnastics hall, was endorsed by Frankston Council at the end of 2023. The total estimated project cost was $60 million – the state and federal governments have both agreed to put in $15 million, and the remaining $30 million will come from Frankston ratepayers.
Last week, Ireland Brown Constructions Pty Ltd was awarded a contract worth a little over $49.73 million to undertake the project.
Frankston Basketball CEO Wayne Holdsworth said “this redevelopment is about more than just basketball. It’s about creating a space that encourages participation at all levels – especially among young girls, women, and people with a disability.” “The economic and social impact of this project will be enormous, and we can’t wait to see it take shape,” he said.
The motion approved by Frankston councillors last week read that “the ongoing annual maintenance costs for proposed Frankston Basketball and Gymnastics Stadium is estimated around $180,000 excluding GST per annum, and as such will require necessary adjustment in 2027/28 operating budget for the facilities management.”
The officer’s recommendation “notes that officers have been engaged in ongoing lease negotiations with Frankston District Basketball Association and Bayside Gymnastics Club and are proposing that a maintenance contribution is included in the lease. This contribution is proposed to incrementally increase over the first six years of the lease term until the tenants assume full responsibility for the maintenance costs.” Council officers have been authorised to establish a cash reserve “from any unexpended project funds to offset the maintenance costs incurred by council associated with the redeveloped facility.”
First published in the Frankston Times – 1st April 2025