CALL FOR MORE COURTS

With government funding on the table for sports infrastructure, the Warragul and District Amateur Basketball Association has renewed calls for more courts in Warragul. The association has been crying out for additional courts for several years, with player numbers far exceeding court space at its Warragul, Drouin, Neerim South and Bunyip venues.

Basketball Victoria Country general manager David Huxtable said current State Government funding opportunities provided the perfect opportunity for Baw Baw Shire to apply.

Local councils can apply for funding up to $10 million for shovel-ready projects.

The State Government’s Community Sports Infrastructure stimulus program is offering funds for shovel ready projects and the association has called on Baw Baw Shire to make it a first priority.

Mayor Danny Goss last week said two additional basketball courts at the Warragul Leisure Centre were among council’s wish list of projects that could proceed quickly.

Given funding has already been sought for two other priority recreation projects – a synthetic soccer pitch at Baxter Park and a multiuse pavilion at Trafalgar – the basketball courts may rise to prominence.

Community infrastructure director Cohen Van der Velde confirmed grant applications were already in progress for the Trafalgar Soccer clubrooms and the Baxter Park synthetic pitch, which makes them ineligible for further funding through the stimulus program.

“Council is currently assessing suitable projects that are priorities within its long term infrastructure plan that would meet the eligibility criteria under the Community Sports Infrastructure stimulus program, which could include the expansion of the Warragul Leisure Centre stadium,” he said.

Basketball in Warragul has effectively been in shutdown since mid-March, and in that time the association has been active off the court.

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Sports survey figures showed basketball in the shire has the highest team participation of all sports and serves more than 2000 participants in junior and senior competitions each week.

Earlier this year the Warragul Men’s CBL Team was crowned 2020 champions in the Gippsland CBL Conference.

In February, WDBA held its annual junior tournament, which attracted 146 junior teams and their families from all over the state.

WDBA operations manager Kristy Leslie said the number of teams, coaches, officials and spectators had a significant positive impact for the local economy, in excess of $300,000 for that one weekend.

The association’s number one priority is a new stadium development.

Ms Leslie said WDBA was working closely with council to ensure they could get to a point that funding could be secured.

Mr Huxtable said basketball and the shire’s population had both seen significant and sustained growth and the current facilities did not service the basketball association and their activities.

“We have seen significant stadium developments around country Victoria in the past 12 months in Wonthaggi, Myrtleford, Ballarat, who have new stadiums opened, Traralgon is near completion, Torquay, Mansfield and Mildura commenced construction and the Cameron Stadium redevelopment in Maffra due to open later this year.

“Right now, Baw Baw Shire and in particular, the Warragul Leisure Centre is at the front of the priority listing for Basketball Victoria Country,” he said.

Mr Huxtable said they had been involved in positive conversations with the mayor and council staff who recognised Bellbird Park at Drouin was also under pressure.

“Warragul Basketball has shown sustained growth, this is not a one off, repeated Warragul basketball boards have developed local participation and provided a sensational activity for local people.

“In the current climate, the State Government has indicated it is ready to fund projects in Regional Victoria, it has demonstrated previously that it backs local communities with significant projects and we now need Baw Baw Shire Council to place the Warragul Leisure Centre as its highest infrastructure project.

““We need some action; we need a plan fully costed and ready to go,” Mr Huxtable said.