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Warragul Leisure Centre $11M expansion of community sports facilities opens 28 July 2024

The Warragul Leisure Centre stadium expansion opens officially on July 28, funded by Baw Baw Shire Council and the Victorian government, it includes new courts and amenities, enhancing community sports facilities.

By news@gippsland - 10th July 2024 - Back to News

The Warragul Leisure Centre stadium expansion will be celebrated with an official opening on Sunday 28 July, but local basketballers already got a chance to shoot some hoops in the brand-new venue this week. Participants in a small basketball tournament got a first look at the courts on Monday this week, while the popular Deadly Hoops match, part of council's NAIDOC Week celebrations, will also take place in the new section of the Leisure Centre, this Friday 12 July.

The $11 million project will see expansion of the existing indoor stadium from two to four courts to better service increased demand of indoor sports in Baw Baw Shire

Warragul stadium expansion

The Warragul Leisure Centre stadium expansion is one of council's largest ever recreational projects to date, valued at more than $12.8 million. Baw Baw Shire Council committed $6.8 million towards the project, in addition to a $6 million contribution from the Victorian government's Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program.

The new stadium delivers much needed infrastructure for the growing Baw Baw Shire community, particularly for local basketball clubs, which boasts the highest numbers of participation of any sport in Baw Baw. The project includes:

• Construction of two new indoor (basketball/netball) courts
• Spectator seating and a lounge viewing area
• A new cafe and kitchen
• Referee change room
• First aid room
• Storage facilities
• Swim club store
• Public amenities including Changing Places accessible change room
• Improved pedestrian and parking access links between new and existing facilities

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing MP will join Baw Baw Shire Councillors, council officers and community members for an exciting opening and unveiling on Sunday 28 July, where the brand-new additions to the popular centre will be on full display, with an array of exciting events and activations also planned to celebrate the completion of this much anticipated project.

Stadium project partnership

Ms Shing said she was proud of the state government's investment into this project. "We are really proud to have partnered with council by funding $6 million to bring this stadium expansion to life - our record investment in community and sporting facilities like this across the region has helped clubs and teams to thrive, and encouraged people of all ages and abilities to get active and connect with their communities."

Baw Baw Shire Mayor Cr Annemarie McCabe said she was thrilled to see the new stadium in use this week and invited community members to come along at the end of the month to check it out and be part of the official opening festivities. "This major project has been long-awaited by our community, following a sod-turning in February 2023 to mark the start of construction."

"I am proud that between council and the state government we can provide these new, modern facilities, furthering opportunities for our local kids and families to take part in sport and get active, close to home," Cr McCabe said.

Opening event details

Visitors to the official opening later this month can expect free kid's netball and basketball clinics throughout the morning, as well as coffee vans and food trucks, face painting and lawn games in the cafe area. Formalities, including speeches from the Local Member of Parliament and Councillors and a ribbon cutting, will take place in the afternoon.

To find out more about the stadium expansion, visit Warragul Leisure Centre Stadium Expansion page. Further details about the opening event will be released on council's website and social media channels throughout the month.

Pictures from Baw Baw Shire Council website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com