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MK Lions Arena, also known as Prestige Homes Arena[1] due to sponsorship reasons, was a basketball arena in Milton Keynes, England. It was the home venue for the Milton Keynes Lions of the British Basketball League from 2010 to 2012.
The venue - a former warehouse - was acquired by the Lions franchise in 2010, after being forced out of their previous homes at the Bletchley Centre - due to a regeneration project[2] - and the temporary set-up at Middleton Hall, in the thecentre:mk. With the team still awaiting the completion of arena:mk - a purpose-built muilti-function arena next to the stadium:mk - an immediate solution was sought and the city centre facility was converted into a new basketball centre for the 2010-11 season.
As well as the main arena, which has seating for 1,400 spectators, the venue featured two practice courts under the same roof of the 30,000 square foot facility.[3] The arena, was located in the Winterhill district, a five-minute walk from the city centre and from Milton Keynes Central railway station.[4]
Lions' first game at the new venue was played on 28 November 2010, with the home team winning 79-73 against BBL rookies Essex Pirates with the game televised live on SkySports.[5]
The lease between Lions and the building owners featured an opt-out cause which was triggered in order to let the building as a retail unit. The final basketball game at the arena was played on 18 April 2012, with Lions defeating Plymouth Raiders 128-113. This proved to be the Lions last ever game in Milton Keynes as the club were forced to re-locate from the 2012-13 season to London, due to being unable to find an alternate venue in the city capable of hosting British Basketball League games.[6]
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