WANGARATTA Sports and Aquatic Centre's (WSAC) indoor stadium expansion is officially complete after commencing in 2022.
Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes joined the Rural City of Wangaratta Council on Friday to officially open the newly transformed indoor sports stadium.
The $12.4 million basketball facility renovation was made possible by a $5.47 million investment from the Victorian Government’s Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program.
Ms Symes acknowledged the Rural City of Wangaratta for its more than $6.9 million financial contribution and commitment to delivering the project.
“These upgrades are a great example of how we’re making Victoria’s regional and rural towns even better places to live, work, stay and play," she said.
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“Congratulations to the people of Wangaratta – the stadium expansion will go a long way to supporting the growing numbers of locals keen to get involved in an even wider range of indoor sports.
“A better show court also gives this town a real advantage when it comes to attracting the big events.
"Sport is the lifeblood of regional communities with the centre an integral part of the social fabric of this sports-loving community."
The stadium expansion comes complete with two new multisport courts marked for netball, basketball and volleyball, increasing the venue’s number of courts to five.
There are also new gym facilities to cater for extra demand.
The show court has also been upgraded to competition standard with the seating capacity increased to 900 allowing for future NBL and WNBL games to be hosted at the venue.
Together the upgrades provide a real home court advantage for the more than 2000 participants that play in the local Wangaratta Basketball Association, Wangaratta Netball Association and Wangaratta Volleyball Association.
Wangaratta Mayor Irene Grant thanked the State Government for the multi-million dollar grant.
"For those of us who live and work in Wangaratta, we know how fortunate we are to have such amazing facilities at our doorstep to give us the opportunities for not only recreation but to extend ourselves in the sporting sphere," she said.
"We all know that this particular facility has been part of the Wangaratta landscape for over 50 years, and it has come a long way in that time."
Cr Grant said the facility not only provides an opportunity for sporting activities but for social engagement.
"We are very fortunate to have a facility like this, there are few towns in regional Victoria that have facilities as wonderful as this," she said.
"The upgrade is not just for the locals, but also to help put Wangaratta on the map as a premium destination for sports in the regions.
"Beyond sport, these facilities bring wider benefits to our region, we have been able to attract high profile events that boost our local economy, bring visitors, support businesses and showcase our community on a larger stage.
"These spaces provide opportunities for everyone to get involved, stay active and enjoy sport at all levels."
In addition, the Victorian Budget 2023/24 provided up to $3 million towards upgrades to netball infrastructure at the WSAC.
Planning for this project is underway.
The Victorian Budget 2024/25 is providing more than $23 million to continue delivery of community sport and active recreation infrastructure, and programs to increase participation opportunities and improve accessibility.
For more information about infrastructure grant opportunities available through the Victorian government visit sport.vic.gov.au.
