The best time for the Shepparton Sports Stadium to receive an upgrade would’ve been any time in the last two decades.

The second-best time is now.

The stadium has failed to keep pace with the town’s evolution, and the recent surge in the popularity of basketball in Shepparton has magnified the facility’s inadequacies and renewed calls for an upgrade.

The Shepparton Gators’ Big V grand final in August was a stark reminder of the urgent need for an upgrade.

Capacity issues reached a tipping point, forcing hundreds of passionate fans to be turned away on a night that should have been a celebration of sporting prowess.

Domestically, the Greater Shepparton Basketball Association is experiencing an unprecedented boom in player participation, with record numbers of players joining local clubs.

However, the inadequate court availability at the Shepparton Sports Stadium is stretching the limits.

Junior grades are being redirected to the Visy Centre (formerly Wanganui High School’s stadium), and scheduling constraints are pushing men’s and women’s games as late as 9.20pm, meaning players are heading home well past 10pm on work nights.

We are at risk of having to turn children away from the sport, with no room for them on the court.

These challenges are all too familiar for those deeply connected to the sport — players, coaches, parents, referees, and anyone who has used the stadium this century.

The Shepparton Sports Stadium, once a proud emblem of the town’s sporting spirit, is now a symbol of its limitations.

In a town where progress is the norm and our rich sporting culture is celebrated, the venue stands as an exception, unable to keep pace with the soaring ambitions of our athletes and the swelling pride of our community.

Shepparton deserves a stadium that mirrors the dynamism and enthusiasm of its people, a facility that we can proudly call our own rather than one that leaves us embarrassed by its limitations.

It’s not merely about the game of basketball; it’s about community, progress, and the unwavering pursuit of excellence that defines our town.

We invite you to join us in this endeavour, advocating for a facility that will not only meet the demands of today but will also pave the way for the future of sports in Shepparton.

PLEASE NOTE: The News is not asking you to donate money to this campaign.

Change.org offers the opportunity to donate money to increase promotion of petitions.

First and foremost, we want to show that Shepparton is united on this issue, and that the community supports our cause through signatures.

This is a petition, not a fundraiser.

We appreciate and thank everyone who has donated, but The News is in no way asking you to donate and is not receiving any funds from change.org from this campaign.

You can head to sheppnews.com.au and subscribe to The News if you would like to financially support local journalism.

This petition is an opportunity to show your solidarity with the cause and present a united front from our community.

This is not a parliamentary petition and The News will not send your details anywhere if you sign it.