MK Lions still on hunt for new home

MK Lions are still on the hunt for a new home, after a permanent move to stadium:mk arena was ruled out.

Lions chief executive Vince Macaulay is desperately trying to preserve 15 years of basketball in Milton Keynes, having been forced out of their old warehouse base in Winterhill, after the landlords opted to sell up.

MK Dons chairman Pete Winkelman says that while the Lions can play some of their big games at the arena, which sits adjacent to the football stadium, it is not suitable for the basketball outfit to develop a full time base there.

He told the MK Citizen: “Since our original plan, the economic climate has changed and the design of the arena has changed. Originally it had fixed seating. Now we’re creating a multi-purpose space so we can host conferences, big dinners and concerts as well as sporting events like Vince’s big basketball games, handball and badminton.

“We would be happy for Vince to move into the arena, but if he wanted to do that for every game, I just don’t think it’s possible. We’re happy to host the big games, if it’s worth Vince’s while.”

Macaulay is believed to have had offers from three other towns to take the franchise away from Milton Keynes, while he could also decide to take a one-year hiatus from the BBL.

Winterhill was the Lions’ third venue in four years, having previously played at Bletchley Leisure Centre and Middleton Hall.