GLASGOW ROCKS EYEING NEW HOME - Hoopsfix.com

GLASGOW ROCKS EYEING NEW HOME

Glasgow Rocks are set to move home – after lining up a takeover of Easterhouse Sports Centre.

The proposal would see the shuttered venue rebuilt and turned into a basketball hub as soon as next season.
The BBL outfit have drawn up plans to create a community arena that could open by the end of 2022 and eventually have a capacity for up to 3,000 fans.
It follows the lead of a number of the Rocks rivals who have constructed their own facilities over the past decade and been able to radically transform their finances.
And with a new £7 million American investment coming into the league, it is the right place at the right time, owner Duncan Smillie believes.

“We need to find our own venue if we wish to survive and thrive as a competitive professional basketball franchise, this is singularly the most important issue for the rocks going forward, without it there will be no Glasgow Rocks,” he said.

“We have had approaches from other towns and cities in Scotland to relocate the franchise but our heart is in Glasgow and that is where we would prefer to remain. The opportunity at easterhouse is a very exciting one indeed.

“Whilst the venue is not as big as we would hope for on day one, the facility in Easterhouse works in every other way. It would be our desire to immediately explore expansion options should we be successful with our proposal.”

It is understood that there is one other rival bidder for what would be an asset transfer from Glasgow City Council with officials set to make a decision in April.

But the planned site would offer the possibility of bringing the men’s, women’s, wheelchair and Academy under one roof – as well as other community initiatives.

“We have already spoken to many local groups/housing associations and residents and shared our thoughts but just as important, we listened to their aspirations for the arena,” Rocks community development officer Billy Singh said.

“Collectively we will aim to improve the physical, mental and social wellbeing of everyone we engage with. There will be employment/volunteer opportunities, accredited training programmes in sport, visits to local schools, basketball camps for all ages, fitness sessions for all abilities and school holiday programmes.”

Meanwhile, Rocks forward Ali Fraser will have surgery on an injured foot next week and then miss the remainder of the season.