Cessnock City Council is calling for new management of the Cessnock Civic Indoor Sports Centre after Hunter Basketball announced it will cease to manage the stadium.
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The centre has been managed by Hunter Basketball’s Brett Keeble for the past two years, and in that time has delivered several new sporting programs and opened the doors to many other fitness, early learning, cultural and sporting organisations.
Success stories included the Coffee Club Cessnock Netball League, the Glencore Junior Basketball Classic, Maitland Roller Derby, the Wine Country Masters basketball tournament and the Hunter Valley Avicultural Society bird sale.
It also acted as an evacuation centre during the Racecourse Road bushfire crisis in November.
The stadium secured Cessnock Toyota as a naming rights sponsor during Hunter Basketball’s tenure.
Mr Keeble said it has been a rewarding, enjoyable experience working in the Cessnock community.
“Thanks to everyone who has visited the stadium, those who have supported our programs through generous sponsorships, and in particular, the great people from many different sporting and community groups who have patronised the facility,” he said.
Mr Keeble will move into a schools and referees development role at Newcastle Basketball.
Cessnock City Council’s acting manager of open space and community facilities, Nicole Benson thanked Hunter Basketball for bringing the community a broad range of events.
“It was great to see the introduction of new programs such as the learn to play basketball and futsal programs. Our community has certainly benefited from their time here,” Ms Benson said.
A few busy weeks lie ahead at the stadium, which will host the Pokolbin Farm Stay Masters Netball tournament this weekend, the Wine Country Masters basketball tournament on September 23 and 24 and a cactus and plant market on October 8.
Hunter Basketball will cease operations at Cessnock Toyota Stadium on October 11. All existing bookings will be honoured.
Expressions of interest for the management of the centre close on at 4pm Friday, September 29.
Copies of the draft contract and returnable schedules can be obtained by contacting council’s recreation and community facilities coordinator, Nathan Eveleigh on 4993 4235 or nathan.eveleigh@cessnock.nsw.gov.au.
