Image credit: Sarah Reed / Basketball SA
The $17.2 million State Basketball Centre development at the exisiting Wayville Sports Centre is now complete, making it a fantastic seven-court basketball facility.
The project for the ‘new home for basketball’ started in February of 2022, and now has an additional four courts, inclusive of an International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Level 1 rated show court.
The new facility will cater for community through to high-performance basketball and see local, district, state and national league teams all training from the same venue.
“The new home of South Australian basketball will see players of all ages and abilities utilise the facility, encouraging more people to enjoy the physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing benefits associated with being active,” Katrine Hildyard, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing, says.
The centre will be the home of programs for Basketball SA, SA Country Basketball, SA Wheelchair Basketball and SA Church Basketball. It will also be the training base of the Adelaide Lightning.
“Thousands of South Australians enjoy basketball; this place will enable even more people to do so and to enjoy that lovely sense of belonging that comes through sport,” Hildyard says.
“I have no doubt that this place will make a difference in people’s lives for decades to come and am really grateful to Basketball SA and the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of SA for their collaboration and vision to help bring it to life.”
While the centre will no doubt be a busy location filled with budding NBL and WNBL superstars, the venue will also continue to be utilised during the the Royal Adelaide Show. It will also be capable of hosting 1,600 people for events.
“We are incredibly proud of having the new State Basketball Centre here at the Adelaide Showground,” William Rayner, Chief Executive Officer, Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of SA says.
“The infrastructure not only provides esteemed basketball facilities but also operates as one of the best dog judging facilities in Australia.”
In addition to the State Government’s $15.8 million investment, Basketball SA and the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of SA (RA&HS) contributed more than $1,135,500 and $294,400 (respectively) to the project.
There will also be a sensory room for people affected by noises, smells, lights and crowds has been incorporated into the development.
For more information about the Wayville State Basketball Centre development, head here.
