In March 2025, Council resolved to lease the land at 19 Harding Street Coburg, the former Coburg Moreland Bowls Cub site, to the Bachar Houli Foundation to develop a new school and sports centre.

The proposed Aspire Sports Centre is a multipurpose indoor facility designed to bring together sport, learning, and community use, creating a shared space for local residents and organisations. It will include a year 11 and 12 school for young Muslim boys and girls to complete VCE while pursuing their passion for sport, in a religiously safe environment.

The Bachar Houli Foundation, established in 2012, delivers programs that combine sport and education to support young people.

Features

The proposed facility includes:

  • 12 Classrooms and multi-purpose spaces
  • 2-3 indoor courts (subject to funding)
  • Change rooms and other supporting facilities
  • High performance gym and recovery centre.

Community benefits

  • More access to indoor courts in Coburg, helping address growing demand for basketball, futsal and other indoor sports across Merri-bek.
  • Increased opportunities for participation in sport and physical activity, particularly for women and girls.
  • Greater opportunities for local pathways and talent development, allowing juniors and community participants to progress from local team participation through to higher levels of competition all within Merri-bek.
  • Improved access for schools and community organisations to indoor recreation space for physical education, wellbeing programs, community events and social connection activities.
  • Economic benefits for the local area, including construction and ongoing employment opportunities, increased visitation to Coburg for training, competitions and events, and additional spending at nearby local businesses.
  • The potential to attract regional tournaments, events and development programs, helping raise the profile of Coburg.

Coburg Basketball Association (CBA) is one of the largest and fastest-growing community sporting organisations in Merri-bek, supporting over 5,000 participants across more than 370 domestic and 36 representative teams. This growth has placed significant pressure on existing indoor court infrastructure, with the Association currently operating at or near full capacity during peak periods. As a result, CBA faces ongoing challenges including waitlists for new players and teams, limited scheduling flexibility, and constrained opportunities to expand programs for women, juniors, and inclusive participation cohorts.

The development of the Aspire Sports Centre is therefore critical to addressing both current demand and projected growth. Additional courts would enable CBA to alleviate capacity constraints, reduce waitlists, and provide greater access for the community to participate in structured sport. Without this investment, the Association will continue to face limitations in accommodating grassroots participation and delivering the well-established health, social, and community benefits that basketball provides across the municipality.

CBA is just one of the local community organisations who stand to benefit from the provision of new indoor courts. An additional 2-3 new courts will go long way in addressing he shortfall in stadium space in the municipality.

Take a look

Here are some impressions of what the facility might look like. Click on the pictures to enlarge them.

A computer generated impression of a large rectangular building around 3 storeys high. There is a wide walkway to one side and a car park in front. The building is peach coloured tiles and concrete with a corrugated iron top storey.
A computer generated impression of a large rectangular building around 3 storeys high. The building is peach coloured tiles and concrete with a metallic finish on the top storey..
A computer generated impression of a large rectangular building around 3 storeys high. There is an older building behind it and a car park in front. The building is peach coloured tiles and concrete with a corrugated iron top storey.
A computer generated impression of a large, brightly lit indoor sports court. There are three different courts in a row with seats lined up for viewing. There are lots of windows on one side.
A computer generated impression of a viewing area above an indoor sports court. There are large windows looking down onto the court and tables and chairs for people to sit on.
A computer generated impression of a multi-use meeting room. There is a long table and chairs on one side and lounge chairs on the other.

How will the project be delivered?

Construction will be funded by the Bachar Houli Foundation with Federal and State Government contributions.

The facility would be operated by the Bachar Houli Foundation under a long-term lease. Community access will be available through a structured user schedule balancing school, sport and community use.