The Warragul Leisure Centre stadium expansion will be celebrated with an official opening on Sunday 28 July, but local basketballers already got a chance to shoot some hoops in the brand-new venue this week.
Participants in a small basketball tournament got a first look at the courts on Monday this week, while the popular Deadly Hoops match, part of Council's NAIDOC Week celebrations, will also take place in the new section of the Leisure Centre, this Friday 12 July.
The Warragul Leisure Centre stadium expansion is one of Council's largest ever recreational projects to date, valued at more than $12.8 million.
Baw Baw Shire Council committed $6.8 million towards the project, in addition to a $6 million contribution from the Victorian Government's Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program.
The new stadium delivers much needed infrastructure for the growing Baw Baw Shire community, particularly for local basketball clubs, which boasts the highest numbers of participation of any sport in Baw Baw. The project includes:
Construction of two new indoor (basketball/netball) courts
Spectator seating and a lounge viewing area
A new cafe and kitchen
Referee change room
First aid room
Storage facilities
Swim club store
Public amenities including Changing Places accessible change room, and
Improved pedestrian and parking access links between new and existing facilities.
Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing MP will join Baw Baw Shire Councillors, Council officers and community members for an exciting opening and unveiling on Sunday 28 July, where the brand-new additions to the popular centre will be on full display, with an array of exciting events and activations also planned to celebrate the completion of this much anticipated project.
Ms Shing said she was proud of the State Government's investment into this project.
"We are really proud to have partnered with Council by funding $6 million to bring this stadium expansion to life - our record investment in community and sporting facilities like this across the region has helped clubs and teams to thrive, and encouraged people of all ages and abilities to get active and connect with their communities."
Baw Baw Shire Mayor Cr Annemarie McCabe said she was thrilled to see the new stadium in use this week and invited community members to come along at the end of the month to check it out and be part of the official opening festivities.
"This major project has been long-awaited by our community, following a sod-turning in February 2023 to mark the start of construction," Cr McCabe said.
"I am proud that between Council and the State Government we can provide these new, modern facilities, furthering opportunities for our local kids and families to take part in sport and get active, close to home."
Visitors to the official opening later this month can expect free kid's netball and basketball clinics throughout the morning, as well as coffee vans and food trucks, face painting and lawn games in the café area. Formalities, including speeches from the Local Member of Parliament and Councillors and a ribbon cutting, will take place in the afternoon.
