Excitement is building among Warragul and the wider Baw Baw basketball community as work on the $11 million Warragul Leisure Centre expansion project reaches a significant milestone
Last Friday, the sod was officially turned as construction of the stadium extension began.
To mark the occasion, Baw Baw Shire Council, Jake Keogh, Jarryd Moss and Jodie Harlow from Basketball Victoria, along with other community members representing the Project Reference Group and the Member for Eastern Victoria Region Harriet Shing MP gathered to celebrate the progress and reflect on the collaborative approach that has steered the project over the last three years.
The project will deliver much needed infrastructure for the growing Baw Baw Shire community, particularly for basketball, which boasts the highest numbers of participation of any sport in Baw Baw.
The completed project will see:
- 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.
Basketball Victoria Association Development Officer and PRG representative - 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.
“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.
Basketball Victoria GM Facilities and Government Relations – Jake Keogh said this a welcome step to help accommodate the current demand and future growth in the area.
“An in-depth feasibility study was conducted which provided evidence that basketball was the highest participation sport in the LGA, however at the time, there wasn’t the facilities available to support the popularity of basketball for the participants.”
“Through the State Governments COVID-19 stimulation grants, funding was received by Baw Baw Shire to help construct the two court expansion of Warragul Leisure Centre. Basketball Victoria has been heavily involved with this project from the beginning through Jodie Harlow and David Huxtable, who are now part of the Project Control Group, we can’t wait to see the facility open and enjoyed by the local community."
Baw Baw Shire Council Mayor Cr Annemarie McCabe is excited about the project getting underway and the progress so far.
“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.”
Baw Baw Shire Council has committed $5 million towards the project with the balance made possible by a $6 million contribution from Victorian Government’s Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program.
To follow the progress of the project go to: Warragul Leisure Centre Stadium Expansion.
