Now is the time for indoor games
managed with fair scheduling; and a preferred management model.
Council’s existing basketball stadium has served the community well.
The local basketball association has produced hundreds of fine basketballers, many having gone on to represent their state and even their country.
Under this concept plan, the existing stadium will remain and be a part of the new facility.
Overall, four fully compliant basketball courts, six volleyball courts, 10 badminton courts, five outdoor and three indoor netball courts, six squash courts and an area for 12 table-tennis tables, will all be available in different configurations.
Long-term, further courts can be added to the east of the building.
New and emerging sports have also been considered in the design.
The building also features a café, multiple toilets, meeting and storage spaces, extensive car parking and administration areas.
Being a part of the showground precinct will also provide opportunities for the agricultural society at show time and throughout the year.
The fee structure has been designed to consider affordability for families, and not unlike the town hall, has a tiered set of fees, ranging from $15 to $25 per hour per court and up to $30 per hour for commercial hirers.
The preferred management model is for the council to operate the facility with an advisory group of users.
This takes on the experience of other similar facilities at Ballarat, Warrnambool, Albury, Colac, Darebin and Yarra Ranges.
It is important that people can make informed decisions about whether they support the concept or not, and that’s what it is… a concept.
Further down the track, in time, the PCG recommends the council ‘adopts’ the report and moves to the next step in this important project.
I acknowledge the work of all of our Project Control Group members and the sporting associations that they represent.
We have appreciated the enthusiastic input from Basketball Victoria, Netball Victoria and Sport and Recreation Victoria. Wimmera residents, I commend the Wimmera Sports Stadium Business Case and Concept Design Report to you. Mark Radford, Horsham Rural City councillor