Local company JMAC Constructions has been appointed to undertake a $1.05 million upgrade of the Corcoran Park netball courts, Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill announced today.
Cr Hill said the project would bring the courts, which sustained significant damage in the unprecedented monsoon in February 2019, back to life.
"Netball is a very popular sport in our community, so it's great news that these courts are set to receive a new lease of life," Cr Hill said
"This project will see the existing asphalt courts and lighting removed and replaced with four new concrete courts and lighting which meet the standards set by Netball Australia.
"Two of the courts will including markings which will also allow for Pickle Ball, junior netball and Fast 5 netball, which is another great enhancement.
"New turf will be installed around the courts and new seating will be installed for spectators and supporters."
The Queensland Government's Works for Queensland program is providing $750,000 in funding for the project, with Council contributing around $300,000.
Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said Townsville City Council had received more than $13.5 million in funding under the COVID Works for Queensland program.
"This is another project for our community that is being delivered through the great partnership between the Queensland Government and Townsville City Council," Mr Stewart said.
"This funding has provided an economic stimulus to our local economy, which took a major hit due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, this funding is forecast to support 80 jobs.
"The COVID Works for Queensland funding was in addition almost $70 million in funding that Council has received from the earlier rounds of Works for Queensland that has supported more than 1,600 jobs across the city."
"Netball is a hugely popular sport in Townsville as we saw when the city hosted a Super Netball game last year between the Sunshine Coast Lightning and Collingwood Magpies, so it's great to support a project which supports our netballers."
Work on the new courts is expected to be complete in time for the start of the new netball season in February, weather permitting.
Phoenix Netball Club will move to Corcoran Park in 2022.
Club president Deb Eastlake said members and supporters were excited by the move and the upgrade of the courts.
"Phoenix is proud to be the largest netball club in Townsville and we are grateful and excited for the opportunity to move into Corcoran Park in 2022," Ms Eastlake said.
"These new facilities will help us to continue to grow our membership and help our wider netball community in Townsville to grow from strength to strength.
"The upgraded courts mean we can have our teams training at Corcoran instead of at Townsville City Netball Association, which allows the other clubs based there to grow as well.
