By Corey Everitt
Multiple junior games for the Pakenham & District Basketball Association (PDBA) were cancelled on Saturday as a result of a roof leak at Cardinia Life – prompting parents to call on the council to properly maintain the facility.
It was reported to the Gazette that half the courts on Saturday 20 July had their games cancelled at Cardinia Life, affecting a significant number of junior teams.
The home of Pakenham Warriors, the club alerted parents on their Facebook page in the morning that the PDBA games on courts 5, 6, 7 and 8 were cancelled.
A parent told the Gazette this occurred from leaks in the roof after the heavy rainfall of last week, saying ‘it wasn’t good enough’ that hundreds of children were denied their weekend game.
PDBA president Tanya Roberts said it was a collective decision prioritising player safety.
“Court supervisors, coaches, referees and Aligned Leisure staff all contribute to the decision to cancel games. While it is regrettable that we have had to cancel a number of games recently, player and spectator safety remains the PDBA’s number one priority,” Roberts said.
A petition shortly emerged on Change.org directed to Cardinia Shire Council calling on them to take urgent action – the petition has garnered over 1200 signatures since Saturday.
The petition states multiple issues all-year-round at the facility and said it has suffered ‘years of neglect’.
“As paying basketball members our children are left without games due to continuous game cancellations due to poor neglect of the stadium and its general facilities,” the petition stated.
“In winter the stadium is an ice box, with leaking roofs and electrical issues causing game cancellations and poor health conditions.
“In summer the stadium is a hot box with no ventilation. Reaching extreme temperatures causing further cancellations and children having health issues such as heat stroke.
“The facilities are a disgrace to say the least! The smell from the walls in the main bathrooms is evident there is a sanitation problem.”
Cardinia Shire Council CEO Carol Jeffs said the council responded swiftly once reports were received on the weekend and that the roof has been an ongoing issue.
“As soon as Council was made aware of the issue on the weekend, we took immediate action to arrange for a plumber to attend the site. Members of Council’s Facilities Maintenance team also attended over the weekend. Contractors are currently undertaking further assessments and works,“ Jeffs said.
“Roof leak detection can be challenging, particularly given the age of the building, the flat surface of the roof and the number of entry points as a result of skylights and fixings associated with the mechanical ventilation system. Unfortunately, roof leaks of this nature are not uncommon with structures of this type and given the wet weather we have experienced recently and on the weekend.“
Repairs and maintenance have been ongoing for several years, according to Ms Jeffs, particular in relation to weather event such as the recent heavy rain.
“Cardinia Shire Council is aware of the ongoing issues with the roof at Cardinia Life,“ Jeffs said.
“Significant repair works have been undertaken in the last 2 to 3 years, including replacement of roof ridge cappings, flashings, several skylights and guttering.
“Thorough investigations have been undertaken and Council received an independent report in February this year which shows that rectification works are complex and further compounded by weather conditions and damage to the sealant caused by birds.
“Maintenance and repair works have been undertaken in recent months, with further works scheduled for this week.
“Council is working in partnership with the Pakenham District Basketball Association (PDBA) to discuss the works program and interim arrangements at the centre.
The stadium is an eight court facility created in 2007, it’s the major venue for the PDBA competition.
In 2022, the council approved a draft plan to redevelop Cardinia Life. With a $114 million price tag, the project was made a key item for the council’s advocacy for State and Federal funding.
“Cardinia Shire Council understands the community is frustrated, and we thank players and visitors for their understanding and patience as we work through this issue and consider medium and long-term rectification solutions,” Jeffs said.
“Council’s vision is to expand and redevelop the centre in order to meet the needs of our growing community, now and into the future. The centre is a vital and much-loved part of our community, but population growth and increased use means the centre has reached its capacity.“
The petition said the state of the facility has put further pressure on the PDBA who have had to bear the burden of managing a large competition around the facility’s issues.
“The PDBA are doing their best to cut times off games to ensure all clubs can fit their teams into the league and keep on top of reports, however this problem is beyond their abilities,” the petition said.
“We are having children and adults missing out on recreation, activity and playing the sport they love!
“How can Cardinia Shire continue to grow surrounding suburbs with this embarrassing stadium!”
