The estimated cost of the proposed new basketball stadium at New Lambton has reached $82,614,419 in a significant price escalation since funding was first committed.
Documents lodged as part of an environmental impact statement for the state significant development detail the expected costs and timeline of building the 12-court stadium on Wallarah and Blackley Ovals.
Newcastle Basketball was awarded a $25 million grant from the previous state Liberal government for the project in 2019.
Construction costs and inflation have increased significantly since then. In a sign of how much prices have escalated, a previous application planned for Hillsborough that was lodged in 2020 and rejected in 2022 listed the capital investment value at $19,888,965, while the Newcastle Herald reported in December 2023 the $25 million grant would build half the stadium.
Funding has resulted in the proposal being planned over multiple stages. The $82,614,419 figure is without GST and includes all construction stages and escalation costs to the end of 2025.
Newcastle Basketball did not respond to questions from the Herald about how much each stage would cost, what had been spent on the project so far and how the remainder would be funded.
Documents lodged with the proposal state the estimated start date for construction of the first stage is April 2025.
Construction will cost $64,377,520, while consultant fees have been estimated at $4,307,245 and furniture, fittings and equipment are expected to come with a $1,550,993 price tag.
Contingency costs have been set at $5,127,673, while demolition and remediation of the site has been estimated at $1,250,456.
The first stage involves construction of a single-storey building with six courts and relevant amenities. It also includes 110 car parks. The estimated build time for the first stage would be 12 months.
The next phase includes two more basketball courts, a mezzanine level for function rooms, administration spaces and training areas as well as an extra 75 car spaces. It would take another six months to build.
The existing Broadmeadow stadium would continue to be used after the first two stages are built to cater for player demand.
The final expansion would add three more courts, which can be used as a single show court with retractable grandstand seating, a high-performance training area, an additional court, expanding the mezzanine level for more corporate spaces and 55 more car parks. It is expected to take another 12 months.
The proposed development includes an "external active recreation area" including a half basketball court.
The plans are on public exhibition until November 11.
