Alkimos Aquatic & Recreation Centre Set to Transform into Premier Basketball Hub
The City of Wanneroo has taken a significant step towards establishing the new Alkimos Aquatic & Recreation Centre as a major basketball hub, following the approval of a seven-year lease with the Wanneroo Basketball Association. This move paves the way for training, competitions, and ambitious plans for a future NBL1 franchise in the area, marking a pivotal development for sports in Perth's northern suburbs.
WBA Secures Exclusive Court Access with Discounted Rates
Under the newly approved lease, the Wanneroo Basketball Association will gain exclusive access to courts at the Alkimos Aquatic & Recreation Centre once it opens. Specifically, the WBA will have use of two indoor courts on Mondays from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM, and all four courts on Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:30 PM to 9:30 PM, as well as Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Recognising the association's not-for-profit status and the high volume of hours it will bring to the facility, the city has granted a 20 percent discount off the standard rate charged to local sporting clubs for multi-sports court hire. This arrangement was unanimously approved by the council at a special meeting last week, with the city stating it aims to "support the growth of basketball in the local community."
Pathway to NBL1 Franchise and Junior Programs
In addition to the lease, the council has endorsed collaboration between the city and the WBA to run a dedicated WA Basketball League program for juniors and seniors at the AARC, featuring "a distinct Alkimos identity." More notably, plans are in motion to prepare a business case for establishing an NBL1 franchise in Alkimos, which would represent a major expansion of elite basketball in the region.
To establish an NBL1 team, the WBA must meet several key performance indicators, including reaching 2,000 to 2,500 junior members in its domestic competitions to feed into the WABL program. To support this goal, the WBA has agreed to host two pre-season or non-official NBL1 games per year at the AARC, with investigations ongoing into whether in-season games can also be held there.
City administration noted, "To assist with the long-term vision of establishing a separate NBL1 franchise in the northern region, the city proposed that the WBA should host two NBL1 games at the AARC until such time the separate NBL1 franchise is created."
Financial and Logistical Considerations for NBL1 Games
The WBA has expressed concerns about hosting regular season NBL1 games at the AARC, citing potential financial losses compared to their current venue, Arena Joondalup, due to reduced crowd capacity and extra logistical challenges. As a result, it was agreed that the WBA would host two pre-season and/or non-official NBL1 games annually at the centre instead.
However, the WBA will be permitted to run any WABL and NBL1 games at the AARC as ticketed events, allowing them to charge spectators for entry. This could help offset costs and build community engagement around basketball in Alkimos.
Future Facility Needs and Multi-Sport Considerations
To make an Alkimos-based NBL1 team sustainable, the WBA estimates a need for around 21 additional courts beyond the AARC's capacity. Potential sources for these courts include future venues like the proposed Eglinton Recreation Centre and a Yanchep aquatic/leisure centre expected within the next 5 to 20 years.
City officers have emphasised that basketball needs must be balanced with those of other sports in the northern corridor, such as netball, volleyball, and futsal. They stated, "While it is acknowledged that WBA have been proactive in approaching the city to discuss their future facility requirements, it is important to consider the requirements of other sports who are well represented in terms of community participation in the northern corridor."
Background and Current Operations of the WBA
The Wanneroo Basketball Association is one of 13 basketball associations in Western Australia, boasting over 5,000 members. Currently based at Arena Joondalup, the WBA operates the Joondalup Wolves licence, with teams competing in both the men's and women's NBL1 leagues. In addition to their facilities at Arena Joondalup, the WBA utilises approximately 50 courts at 20 venues across the cities of Joondalup and Wanneroo for training and games.
Once completed, the business case for an Alkimos NBL1 team is expected to be presented to Basketball WA for consideration. Construction of the Alkimos Aquatic & Recreation Centre began in January 2025 and is slated for completion later this year, setting the stage for a new era of basketball development in the region.
