REDEVELOPING the Werribee Sports and Fitness Centre will allow more children to take part in sport, centre users say.
Wyndham council’s draft 2013-14 budget includes $10.9 million to begin redeveloping the ageing centre, which is used by netball, table tennis, volleyball, badminton and basketball clubs.
The funding will allow work to begin in early 2014 and will continue into the 2014-15 financial year.
In February, the state government contributed $650,000 to the $45 million project which will convert an existing six-court indoor facility into a 12-court complex, including a large gymnasium, exercise studio, show court, childcare centre and outdoor netball courts.
Werribee Basketball Association president Mark Hall said users had been waiting more than 10 years for the upgrade, which would make the centre the largest indoor court facility in the west.
“Population growth has been enormous within the past few years and we have not been able to accommodate the extra demand,” he said.
“During that time, there has been a number of new football and cricket grounds but no more indoor courts. This has meant we had to turn away young children who have wanted to play basketball. This redevelopment will mean that we will be able to create more opportunities for all participants, eliminate byes and play games even when it rains.”
The centre’s committee launched a campaign in February, calling for all levels of government to fund the redevelopment. It also urged businesses and centre users to get behind the works.
