THE State Government’s $40 million basketball centre at AK Reserve in Mt Claremont opens this weekend but key tenant Basketball WA (BWA) has yet to move in, pending discussion of its use of the centre, including the cost.
BWA chief executive Rick Smith said the organisation was extremely grateful for the construction of the world-class facility for basketball use.
But a memo from Mr Smith to members of the basketball community said BWA was concerned about proposed charges at the new stadium and the potentially high cost to participants.
The memo said the BWA executive wanted to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of basketball in WA and the continued ability of BWA to develop the game without needing to increase fees unreasonably.
It said basketball activities would continue at Perry Lakes Stadium until further notice. Mr Smith told Western Suburbs Weekly BWA wanted to ensure costs were kept as low as possible.
“We are negotiating all of the terms and conditions of BWA’s occupancy and use, working through the detail,” he said.
“It’s not something that has come up we’re rushing to deal with – certain things need to be worked through.
“We are in discussions to ensure that costs are reasonable and we can afford to be there.”
Venues West chief executive David Ertherton said cost was part of the details being negotiated.
“BWA has to move out of Perry Lakes by March so there’s plenty of time and it’s important to get it right,” he said.
Mr Smith said BWA was moving from a particular business model to a brand new business model, which would affect the cost.
“At the moment, we pay a lease fee for Perry Lakes Stadium and we manage the venue so the majority of the money derived from running the venue is used for developing basketball and goes back into sport,” he said.
“When we move to the State Basketball Centre, we’re not managing the venue so income derived from the venue that we generate will go back into sport and other money generated will go into the upkeep of the venue.
“We won’t be deriving all the income so the capacity is for not as much to go back into the sport.”