On May 27, Rochester Basketball Association president Megan Keating was contacted by Pastor Michael Riske from Rochester Presbyterian Church with a notice to vacate, informing her the association must leave the premises 28 days from the notice date.
The October 2022 floods damaged school sites and the basketball stadium, leaving Rochester residents without access to recreational facilities, including basketball equipment.
Basketball Victoria gifted equipment including a Gorilla basketball hoop and tiled flooring to Rochester Basketball Association.
After discussions, it was decided the equipment from Basketball Victoria would be installed at the church’s tennis courts.
Since then, the site has been used by Rochester Basketball Association, along with various members of the community, including families, tradespeople, groups of friends and many others.
In an open letter, the Rochester Basketball Association committee expressed disappointment and highlighted the positive impacts of the site.
“The positive effects of this court includes giving shift workers and uni students somewhere to shoot hoops during school days, gives students somewhere to go after school hours, gives families an opportunity to shoot hoops together to see how good Mum or Nan is, to encourage students to show respect for facilities, to encourage students be active and not be in front of devices, to have an option for those that are ‘too old’ for swings and sandpits,” it said.
Ms Keating was disappointed to receive the notice to vacate from the church.
“It’s just disappointing ... and it’s the local board of management who are making these decisions,” she said.
Ms Keating believes the church could be concerned by Rochester Basketball Association’s public liability insurance.
Basketball Victoria confirmed the site was insured for use by anyone, regardless of their involvement with the association.
The Rochester Basketball Association has requested a meeting with the church to discuss the decision, but the church has not agreed yet.
“They don’t want to meet, they don’t want to discuss,” Ms Keating said.
Campaspe News reached out to the church to discuss the notice to vacate. Pastor Michael said the church had no comment to make on the matter.
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