WERRIBEE Sports and Fitness Centre is closer to being redeveloped, with Wyndham Council approving a planning permit for the Ballan Road site.
The council is planning a $45 million redevelopment of the small centre.
The project will convert the six-court indoor centre into a 12-court complex including a large gym, exercise studio, show court, childcare facility and outdoor netball courts.
But the council has warned that it cannot proceed without significant external funding.
As reported by the Weekly, the state government recently contributed $650,000 to the project, but the council said the amount was insufficient.
The permit’s approval comes after centre users, including Werribee Basketball Association, launched a campaign calling for the federal government to provide funding and for the state government to increase its contribution.
WBA president Mark Hall said the centre could not cope with Wyndham’s population boom.
“We’re bursting at the seams. We need all the users of the rec centre and their families to get behind this campaign.
“The centre sees nearly 1000 people per day through its doors and the redevelopment will make the centre the largest indoor court sporting facility in Melbourne’s west.”
Mr Hall said court restrictions meant the association had recently been forced to move under-8 basketball matches from Saturday mornings to Friday nights, resulting in parents withdrawing their children.
To support the campaign, go to facebook.comfixthereccentre
