The City of Whittlesea welcomes a $15 million election commitment from Liberal candidate for Yan Yean, Mr Richard Welch, for funding towards the construction of phase two of the Regional Aquatic and Sports Centre in Mernda.
Phase two of the project will deliver eight outdoor multipurpose courts, as well as an indoor stadium housing six multipurpose indoor courts. Delivery of this important phase of the project will address our region’s deficit in netball and basketball courts, as well as promote active participation rates in our community.
Chair Administrator Lydia Wilson, who was joined on site by Mr. Welch, The Hon. Wendy Lovell MP, City of Whittlesea CEO Craig Lloyd and representatives from Basketball Victoria and Netball Victoria, welcomed the announcement which will support the delivery of a state-of-the-art facility to support the physical and mental health of the entire region.
“The facility will be Council’s largest, single investment in social infrastructure, and we cannot deliver it in isolation. We have been strongly advocating for funding support from the state and federal governments and we welcome today’s announcement which is a direct result of this advocacy,” she said.
“The delivery of the outdoor multipurpose courts and indoor stadium will not only address our region’s current deficit of netball and basketball courts but also help boost sporting participation rates in our community, particularly for women and girls.”
Council is delivering phase one of the project, which is currently underway to ensure the site is ready for construction to commence on the indoor stadium and outdoor multipurpose courts.
Future phases of the project will include a 50m multipurpose pool, warm water, teaching and leisure pools, gymnasium and health consultancy suites.
Once complete, the Regional Aquatic and Sports Centre will bring an estimated $784.3 million in economic value and $150.7 million in social value to Victoria over 30 years, as well as promote health and wellbeing outcomes for our community.
