Stimulus funding set to provide boost for basketball in Baw Baw
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Published on 14 May 2021
Baw Baw Shire Council and local sporting clubs are celebrating a $6 million boost from the Victorian Government’s Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program to expand the Warragul Leisure Centre Stadium.
The $10.05 million expansion will transform the existing stadium space from the existing two court facility to a regional-level four court facility.
Key features of the project include:
Two new indoor (basketball/netball) courts New reception and office Spectator seating and lounge viewing area Public amenities including accessible change room Two change rooms with amenities Referee change room First aid room Storage Two multi-purpose rooms for group fitness or meetings, and 70 new car park spaces.Council has worked closely with local sporting clubs to develop the concept plan, which was endorsed for detailed design by Council on 10 June 2020.
With participation rates double the Victorian rate at 8.15 per cent, basketball is Baw Baw Shire’s most popular sport with 3951 Basketball Victoria registered participants and 1844 members registered with the Warragul and District Amateur Basketball Association.
The project is estimated to create up to 54 jobs for the region with construction expected to take between 19 and 24 months.
When complete, the project will further enhance the levels of participation in stadium sports in the Shire, allow local clubs to expand and provide a regional level facility that can cater for more tournaments and events.
Council is expected to move the project to the delivery stage in the new financial year.
Quotes attributable to Mayor Cr Danny Goss
“The community of Baw Baw Shire will be very grateful to hear the news of this massive grant that has been awarded to us by the State Government to assist with the building of the Leisure Centre extensions.”
“With huge pressure on all of our infrastructure caused by the big population growth our residents need to know that Council is and will continue to fight hard on their behalf to access these funds. New social and sporting infrastructure is desperately needed here. As is upgrades to older assets.”
“Ratepayers cannot afford to build these sorts of stadiums alone. We need help from Government.”
“So, credit where credit is due. We have respectfully asked – and we have received. The State Government deserves our praise and our thanks for this money. We appreciate it.
This is exactly the news that we have been waiting for. We cannot wait to see our local players and others enjoy these new courts in the future.”
Image: Adopted concept floor plan of the stadium expansion.