Macedon Ranges sports hub push heads to council
THE concerted push for an $18 million Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Hub facility has stepped up another gear.
North West
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THE concerted push for an $18 million Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Hub facility has stepped up another gear.
Sports hub advocates last week met councillors and council officers as they attempt to advance their vision for indoor sports in the shire.
Group spokeswoman Tamara Collins said the meeting was encouraging, coming on the back of a $100,000 commitment made by the Federal Government for a feasibility and business study.
The council would drive the project and apply for funds and Ms Collins said she felt there was widespread support.
“We are hoping to receive notification from the feds in the next month or so and we really want to get those studies done to advance our case,” she said.
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“The idea would be to have the vision and location ready to go and strategically put our case forward as state and federal elections come along.”
The group has basketball, netball, indoor soccer, volleyball, badminton clubs and schools on board as it pushes for a facility in the mould of Eagle Stadium in Werribee.
Ms Collins said would-be junior competitions were often hampered by a scarcity of courts.
“Our main concern are for the kids in the shire – there is not the same amount of options as city kids outside of sport and your skate parks,” she said.
South Ward councillor Andrew Twaits said the sports hub proposal clearly had widespread support.
“It was really good to hear and see the vision of community groups in the shire and to understand what role council can play,” he said.
Cr Twaits said many sports were struggling to satisfy a surge in junior participants.
“We definitely have to be mindful of the sports and recreational activities available to young people and need to work closely with state and federal governments and local sporting associations to advance these opportunities,” he said.
More than 1900 people “like” the Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Hub” Facebook page.
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