In the works: The state government has previously allocated $100,000 to The Hills Sports Centre to assist with the upgrade of the facility. Picture: Mike Szabath
A CRITICAL shortage in facilities at Hills Sports Stadium is forcing the Hills Hornets Basketball Club to turn away hundreds of players each year.
The facilities are so stretched the club now needs to rent out places away from their home stadium to guarantee games for its 3500 registered players.
Hornets general manager Steven Bourke said if his club had more basketball courts they could easily attract another 1500 players.
"I have no doubt we would reach the 5000 registered player mark," Mr Bouke said.
Interest in the game is strong in The Hills with registrations set to spike following last week's East Coast Challenge competition.
"It's a double-edged sword," Mr Bourke said.
"On one hand we want to promote basketball and get more people involved but we simply don't have the facilities available to cater for them."
Management at Hills Sports Stadium is hoping to expand the current centre with two new courts but need government assistance before any building can start.
Castle Hill MP Dominic Perrottet said he was in discussions with the Minister for Sport and the Hornets about the potential for setting up a bank guarantee to assist in the upgrade.
"The Hills Hornets have an excellent credit history so we're working through the application process to assist in getting them access to finance," Mr Perrottet said.
"The Sports Minister visited the stadium with me last year and he's an enthusiastic supporter of this upgrade.
"We have already allocated $100,000 to assist the upgrade of the centre. And I will continue to advocate for more funding and government support of this important project.
■ Should the state government give funds to the Hills Sports Centre or are there other more run-down sporting facilities in The Hills in need of investment?