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The Voice of Penrith
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BASKETBALL IN PENRITH ON HIATUS OVER STADIUM DISPUTE
SLAM DUNKED
Courts remain empty for basketballers in Penrith. Photo: Melinda Jane.
NATHAN TAYLOR
B
asketball in Penrith is on hold and its future uncertain as a dispute emerges between the local association and the region’s biggest basketball venue. Penrith District Basketball Association (PDBA) was meant to tip off its Summer season last weekend, but a breakdown in negotiations with Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre (PVRSC) – specifically on hire fees and office space rent – has resulted in players staying off the court.
Local mum Sonya Lee’s two sons Zeek and Vance love playing basketball, but she says the rise in court costs – which will ultimately be passed down to families suffering from a cost-of-living crisis – will be detrimental to the sport in the area. “The recent and proposed court hire fee increases from PVRSC, along with new upfront payment requirements, threaten the viability of basketball in Penrith,” she said. “If local courts are lost or access becomes unaffordable, many children will be forced to travel outside the area, or worse, stop
playing together. This is a real community issue that affects hundreds of young people and families in Penrith.” Earlier this month, PDBA received a short-term offer from PVRSC to cover their upcoming summer competitions – which were scheduled to start last week – of which they were requested to pay $120 + GST per hour for court hire (up $37 including GST from July prices), and $1,000 + GST per week for their use of the office space. It is understood up until now, PVRSC has never had a formal agreement in place with PDBA to occupy the office space.
In an email to members about the situation, PDBA said upon reviewing the offer, they remain “focused negotiating in good faith”, and would be guided by their commitment to the needs of members. “Given the significant increase in court hire fees, we have made the decision, in consultation with our members, to pause the start of our competitions pending further negotiations,” the PDBA Board said in a written statement to the Weekender this week. Story continues on » p. 5
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