David Smith and Senator Don Farrell were joined by Tuggeranong Netball Association members and players, Mick Gentleman and Joy Burch. Photos: George Tsotsos.
An elected Shorten Labor Government has promised to invest $3 million into a new indoor sports complex in Canberra’s south, with the ACT Government set to match the $3 million commitment to provide a year-round, all-weather, multi-sport enclosed complex in Calwell.
If Labor is elected, the $6 million facilities will have sprung floor installed and meeting, function and storage areas included within the stadium building along with change, toilet and shower facilities.
The new indoor facility will be the home of the Tuggeranong Netball Association, as well as a place to train and play an array of other sports including badminton, basketball, broomball, calisthenics, cheerleading, fencing, futsal, hockey, judo, taekwondo and volleyball.
The new facilities would also allow the addition of a new ‘walking netball’ competition for seniors.
With Tuggeranong Netball Association hosting 1,200 registered players, catering for 2,500 players each Saturday and having experienced 20 per cent player growth since 2015, the Labor candidate for the seat of Bean, David Smith, said there is a clear demand for sports facilities in the south.
The plans for the new indoor sports complex in Calwell.
“31 years ago, four asphalt courts were opened here and the netball association has come a long way,” Mr Smith said.
“Netball is a winter sport and currently those thousands of players and their families are on outdoor courts, in the cold and with no protection from the rain.
“This investment will start the work to enclose facilities at Calwell to provide a year-round, seven-day-a-week, all-weather, multi-sport complex.
“In particular, this investment will provide modern, appropriate facilities for a number of sports with high proportions of women and girls participating, which is really important in terms of supporting current demand and future growth in female sport participation in the ACT.”
Mr Smith said he expects the complex to support increased participation across multiple sports and cater for competitions and tournaments attracting thousands of players, which will provide a significant boost to the local economy.
Shadow Minister for Sport, Senator Don Farrell, said Labor is committed to supporting clubs and communities to improve local sporting facilities and give all Australians a fair go at sport.
“Whether they dream of playing for the Diamonds or just want to enjoy the benefits of being physically active, we want to give all Australians the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of sport,” Senator Farrell said.
“Our investments in local community sporting clubs and facilities like these help them build capacity to meet the welcome growth in female participation in a club sport and support more Australians to live active healthy lifestyles.”
The proposed new facilities would also allow the addition of a new ‘walking netball’ competition.
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