By Parker McKenzie
Westfield Knox opened its new community basketball area alongside other amenities on Thursday 8 June, as a part of a $355 million redevelopment of the shopping centre.
The FIBA-grade basketball court, 20 new stores and an outdoor children’s play area are just some of the new additions to the shopping centre open to the public.
Westfield Knox Centre Manager Kristian Nicholls said considerable research went into the redevelopment.
“The reason why we’re putting the basketball court is I met with a lot of community leaders and business leaders, and basketball was a huge part. There are 16,000 people that play basketball every Saturday,” he said.
“There is a shortage of courts, customers love that level of activity so I think we’re introducing usages that just are relevant.”
Not everyone is happy, however, with locals taking aim at the new paid parking scheme introduced at the centre.
Bayswater MP Jackson Taylor and Monbulk MP Daniela De Martino urged the Centre to reconsider the decision to charge for parking, which has historically been free, and have requested a meeting with centre management.
“I’m deeply concerned about the impact paid parking will have on hard-working Knox locals,” Mr Taylor said.
“We’re asking for Westfield Knox to come to the table and listen to thousands of people who have already signed the petition in opposition to this decision.”
Mr Taylor launched a petition against the decision, which has been signed by more than 2,500 people.
Mr Nichols said the centre’s “priority is to provide convenient, safe and assessable parking for our customer,” and the changes wouldn’t affect patronage.
“We’ve introduced new technology into the centre that’s enabling our customers to find a car park faster and to exit quicker,” he said.
“It’s about ensuring that are providing the best experience and we’re seeing traffic numbers that are well past pre-pandemic levels, so that’s just simply not the case at all.”
