Geraldton Buccaneers set ball rolling for a bigger stadium

Geraldton’s title-winning basketball coach says progress is promising on efforts to expand the game here. But that doesn’t mean there are no challenges in the short term. Dayle Joseph, coach of the State Basketball League-winning Geraldton Buccaneers, said a pledge by the City of Greater Geraldton to fight for funds for a bigger stadium was welcome news. “It’s great that we’ve got a group of people working to make it happen in the future,” he said. “It sounds pretty promising.” The City of Greater Geraldton has said that residents have indicated they want to keep rate increases low. “A bigger State funding commitment will be needed for a plan by the Geraldton Amateur Basketball Association to increase the size of its stadium. City of Greater Geraldton chief executive Ross McKim said the association had approached the council about the expansion, under the Community Sport Recreation Facility Fund. “In response, the council passed a resolution at its January ordinary meeting requesting the State Government increase its annual funding allocation to this critical grant program ... to allow these vital infrastructure projects to proceed,” Mr McKim said in an email to the Geraldton Guardian. He said the City had asked the State to increase its maximum contribution of $800,000. “The resolution also requested that the State contribute $2 million to GABA for their project,” he said. “In the lead-up to the upcoming State election, the council will lobby hard on behalf of GABA for the required funds.” The City has also included the project on the new capital project list as part of its Community Voice project, where a community panel will prioritise a list of new projects. Looking at the long term, more stadium space would help develop the game further after the Buccs won their first title in 19 years last season. “It’s no criticism to anyone,” Joseph said. “But ... it’s frustrating it’s taking so long. It’s tough this time of the year when we don’t have a court dedicated (and) don’t have a consistent time for training.” He said as well as the Buccs, continuing development across all the grades of competition was crucial. “Basketball is growing,” he said. “Basketball could be bigger and better, and our kids could have more opportunities to be better and stronger basketballers.” He said local players aged from eight to 18 had strong potential. “I don’t believe we’re giving them the best opportunity,” he said. “A lot of good coaches have to work during the hours that courts are available for training.” Mr McKim said the City had provided $5000 towards completing a needs analysis required for the sporting facility grant. “The city commends the GABA for the excellent work they have done to date on the project,” he said. He said the City had been advised its grant application to fund the renewal of the outdoor pool at the Aquarena had been rejected by the State Government. Under the sport recreation facility fund the State would pay a maximum of one-third of the total cost of a project up to a maximum of $2 million, he said. A spokesperson for Sport and Recreation Minister Mick Murray said the fund “always attracts significant interest from local governments and clubs around the State”. “As with all community sport projects in Western Australia, any proposal for new or upgraded community facilities must be led by the City of Greater Geraldton,” he said.