Geelong United reveals plan to manage Arena

GEELONG United Basketball (GUB) will throw its hat in the ring for the management rights of Geelong Arena in a new partnership announced earlier this month.

The statement outlined GUB’s partnership with Belgravia Leisure to tender for the venue’s management rights, which stemmed from extensive discussions between the two parties.

“Geelong Arena and the adjoining Annexe has been the heartbeat of basketball in the region for nearly 30 years,” GUB chief executive officer Mark Neeld said.

“Geelong United Basketball uses the facility’s four courts seven days a week for our thriving community competition, which has 7,000 participants from under 10s to seniors playing in club-based and social teams.

“We are committed to community access and maintaining that access.”

Mr Neeld said the joint tender, if successful, would allow GUB’s participation and inclusion programs to be expanded to Geelong Arena.

“We are keen to see programs including Walking Basketball, All Abilities, Social Women’s and wheelchair basketball more readily accessible to the people of the northern suburbs.

“We thank Belgravia Leisure for wanting to be part of our journey of promoting lifelong activity across Greater Geelong.”

Belgravia Leisure has an extensive track record of producing affordable activities via its management services across Australia and New Zealand, working in partnership with government, not-for-profits and the commercial sector.

Belgravia partners with more than 70 local and state government authorities.

The body, part of the Belgravia Group, also employs more than 5,500 staff in over 230 swim, sports, fitness, health and wellness and leisure facilities.

Belgravia Leisure CEO Nick Cox said he was excited by the idea of managing the Geelong Arena in partnership with GUB.

“Working collaboratively, with such a key stakeholder of the Arena, will enable us to increase participation via a range of new activations and reinstate its status as a vibrant events space for the Geelong community.”

Tenders for the management of Geelong Arena open on September 18 and close on October 10.

The City of Greater Geelong will announce the successful tender bid in November.