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Warragul Leisure Centre expansion starts with $11M funding from Baw Baw Shire Council and Victorian Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus

Excitement is building among Baw Baw's local basketball and netball clubs as work on the $11 million Warragul Leisure Centre expansion project reaches a significant milestone.

By news@gippsland - 14th February 2023 - Back to News

On Friday 11 February, the sod was officially turned as construction of the stadium extension began. To mark the occasion, council, community members representing the Project Reference Group, member for Eastern Victoria Region Harriet Shing MP gathered to celebrate the progress and reflect on the collaborative approach that has steered the project - one that has seen the project go from concept on paper to concrete on the ground over the past three years.

Cr Joe Gauci, member for Eastern Victoria Region Harriet Shing MP, Cr Danny Goss, Cr Peter Kostos and Anthony Magnuson from Kubale constructions on site at the Warragul Leisure Centre for the Official Sod Turn event

Expansion project

The project will deliver much needed infrastructure for the growing Baw Baw Shire community, particularly for the sport of basketball, which boasts the highest numbers of participation of any sport in Baw Baw. The completed project will see the:

• Construction of two new indoor (basketball/netball) courts
• Spectator seating and lounge viewing area
• 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

PRG representative and Association Development Officer at Basketball Victoria, Jarryd Moss sees the stadium expansion as an opportunity for the Warragul Leisure Centre to become the home of Warragul and District Basketball Association. "The association is made up of over 2000 members that includes volunteers, staff and board members, with memberships only set to grow over the next few years" says Jarryd.

Delivering opportunities

Mr Moss said, "This will help the association streamline their operations in order to continue delivering opportunities for all members of the Baw Baw Shire community to be involved in basketball."

Having secured the tender for major works, locally based company Kubale Constructions have been on site undertaking construction works including slab pouring, steel framing, external cladding, roof completion and floor installation as part of the expansion project.

Baw Baw Shire Council has committed $5 million towards the project with the balance made possible by a $6 million contribution from the Victorian government's Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program. To follow the exciting progress updates go to Warragul Leisure Centre Stadium Expansion page.

This $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

Fit-for-purpose facility

Mayor Cr Annemarie McCabe said, "There's been so much action on the ground at the Warragul Leisure Centre site recently with the team at Kubale Constructions making significant progress on the project. I am looking forward to the project completion and seeing the new facility being utilised by our community."

Central Ward Councillor Joe Gauci said, "It's important that we continue to do what we can to support a healthy and active community and encourage involvement in sports, whether it's at a competitive level or just for recreational fun. The Warragul Leisure Centre expansion project is all about improving our facilities and providing equal access to better service the growing demand for indoor sports in Baw Baw Shire."

Central Ward Councillor Danny Goss said, "We know just how important this expansion project is for our local sporting community and greatly value their input in ensuring the concept plan is fit for purpose and designed to suit the individual needs for each club. With the major works now underway, our community looks forward to following the construction updates as they proceed."

Pictures from Baw Baw Shire Council website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com