$1m netball courts home for Phoenix
THE Corcoran Park netball courts have officially reopened after a $1.13m upgrade.
The courts, which were badly damaged in the 2019 floods, will now become the home of the Phoenix Netball Club.
Mayor Jenny Hill said netball was one of the most played team sports in Australia and was very popular in Townsville, so giving the courts a new lease on life was important.
“The project saw the removal and replacement of the existing asphalt courts and lighting with four new concrete courts and competition-grade lighting, which meets the standards set by Netball Australia,” she said.
“This not only allows for competition games to be played at the courts but will future proof it to ensure the community can use it for many years.
“To add to the location’s usability and versatility, two courts also include markings to allow for pickleball, junior netball, and fast-five netball games.
“Council is invested in further improving the city’s liveability and giving the community up-to-date recreational facilities to promote active and healthy lifestyles.”
The work was completed by JMAC Constructions.
Phoenix Netball Club president Deb Eastlake said the club was excited to use the courts.
“Phoenix Netball Club has more than 350 members, and Corcoran Park will serve as the new training home for the club,” Ms Eastlake said.
“Previously, we shared court space with other netball clubs at the Townsville City Netball Association.
“Being based at Corcoran
Park will allow our club to grow and take on more members and allow other Townsville clubs to grow as well.”
The Queensland government’s Works for Queensland program provided $750,000 in funding for the project, with the council contributing about $380,000.
Townsville MP Scott Stewart said the city had received more than $19.5m in funding as part of the 2021-24 Works for Queensland program. “This funding has provided an economic stimulus to our local economy, and has helped to deliver projects across the city, which include upgrades to parks, playgrounds, lighting, irrigation and pathways.
“The Works for Queensland funding was in addition to almost $70m in funding that council has received from the earlier rounds of the program that has supported more than 1600 jobs across the city.”