We recognise that in Yarra there is very little vacant land available for a stadium, and little more in Darebin and Melbourne. However there are some obvious spaces, and there is also room for some innovative design to enhance existing facilities. Listed below are several of the options that could be explored - some are much longer term than others.

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North Fitzroy Gasworks Precinct development
The City of Yarra has published initial plans for a development of the Gasworks site between Smith St, Alexandra Parade and Queens Parade which includes plans for a 6-court stadium. This is a great opportunity for the area and therefore the Collingwood Basketball Association has forwarded a proposal with ongoing updates to the City of Yarra to demonstrate our support and to seek involvement in the project. We recognise that although this site is extremely well-located and would be our ideal solution, it does come with a range of planning, environmental and political considerations that suggest we also should be actively exploring other options. In May 2013 the state government announced that building the East-West tollway link would be its transport priority, which may have a further impact on any possibilities for this site.


Collingwood College redevelopment
Collingwood College (formerly Collingwood Education Centre) is the major facility in the area, and it has not been refurbished, extended or upgraded at all since it was built over 35 years ago. With a strong community focus, Collingwood College has been the central venue for basketball (and other indoor sports) in Yarra - but it only has one (1) full size court (with minimal spectator space) and one half-size practice court.

With the land available, it would be practicable and possible to build up and out over the existing courts to establish two more full-size courts (making three in all) and adjoining facilities.

Council depot redevelopment/relocation
Council has a number of depots in the municipality that could be consolidated to allow one of them to be released for conversion into community facilities including indoor sporting facilities.

Vacant state government / local government / commercial sites
These could include railway land, areas adjacent to existing facilities, schools, warehouses that would otherwise be converted into yet another apartment complex…

Parkland/open spaces
While everybody recognises that use of parkland and open space for constructed facilities is not the most preferable model, and often incurs considerable opposition, the fact is that in many cities in the world this has been implemented in various ways that enhance the local environment.