Missing the Sound of Basketballs on Timber

When the 2022 flood receded in Lismore, the members of the Lismore Basketball Association breathed a sigh of relief that the waters had not gone past that final few steps to inundate their beloved stadium. Unfortunately, it soon became evident that precious over 40 year old timber floor didn’t get away unscathed.

As time went on after Lismore’s clean up, movement and bowing in the floor became an issue and investigations found that storm water and moisture under the building had caused irreversible damage. March on two years and thanks to Local, State and Federal grants and funding work is currently underway to lay a brand new floor of local Blackbutt timber.

Lismore Storm U14 Boys

The project is expected to take 5 months which means that local competitions and representative teams have had to move up to GSAC in order to play and train. “We are so very grateful to Lismore City Council for accommodating us during one of our busiest times of the year”, said Association President Aaron Simpson. “Our representative teams started their season which means they have been training hard in the lead up.”

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The relocation out of the stadium has meant significant extra cost to the Association which means that fees for representative players have also been impacted. To counteract this for many of the local families, some of whom were also affected by the flood, the Association has embarked on a range of fundraising activities.

Lismore Basketball Stadium with the floor removed

Thanks to the generosity of Splendour In The Grass and Jeremey Sheaffe Event Services the Association has been provided with two VIP Experience Splendour in the Grass tickets which they are currently raffling online. “We are so grateful for this kind donation and we are aiming to raise as much as possible to help out our families this season”, said Aaron. Teams undertake significant travel to represent Lismore over multiple weekends. This all means high fuel and accommodation costs for everyone involved.

The raffle which can be accessed by visiting here is only $5 per ticket and will be drawn on Friday 12 April. Prizes include 2 x VIP Splendour in the Grass tickets for July 19, 20 & 21, 1 x $200 Visa Card and 1 x $100 Visa Card.

“Our kids and their families will be grateful for any funds raised and we can’t wait to hear the sound of basketballs bouncing on our brand new timber floor soon” said Aaron.

For more information visit the Lismore Basketball Association Facebook page or the website.

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