Kilsyth Basketball is thrilled to announce that it will partner with Melba College to deliver a new four-court stadium at Ainslie Park in Croydon.

The news comes after Labor’s Minister for Education, James Merlino, announced that Melba College was approved for $13.7 million in funding to develop the new basketball complex and a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and maths) building.

On site to deliver the announcement, Merlino expressed his support of the project, which is set to significantly benefit the Melba campus and facilitate Kilsyth Basketball’s continued growth at the grassroots level.

“The Kilsyth Basketball Association is one of the biggest basketball clubs in Australia and these facilities will ensure they are able to keep up with demand,” Merlino said.

“We want to put schools at the centre of their communities and today’s announcement does just that.”

The new basketball complex will house four full-sized FIBA competition standard courts, and will feature change rooms, a referees room and cafe. The project is expected to commence in October this year, with a completion date intended for late 2019 to early 2020.

Kilsyth Basketball Chairman, Mal Allison, is thrilled with the Labor Government’s funding announcement, which will increase Kilsyth’s capacity to run competitions and aid Melba in its campus re-development.

“After two years of working together on this project, we have developed a strong relationship with Melba and are excited to create a high-quality sporting facility that supports Melba’s re- development and our growth as an association,” Allison said.

“The four court stadium supports the Maroondah City Council’s vision of having a sporting precinct at Ainslee Park, and will give us the opportunity to host national tournaments and events which require significant court demand.”

More news and information on building plans for the Melba stadium will be released at a later date.