For decades, a basketball and netball mecca in the City of Armadale was nothing but a hoop dream.
Local kids keen to play ball have either missed out, or been ferried miles outside the area to get an association game.
And local participation rates in these two sports are lagging behind the state average.
“We know there’s about 1000 people who play netball from Armadale, but they actually have to play outside the city. And we know we’ll be able to double that as soon as we’ve got the courts for people to play on,” Netball WA Group CEO Simone Hansen said.
So last year the city put its game face on.
With two elections this year, and Netball WA and Basketball WA both firmly in their court, it was now or never to shoot its shot for some major funding for the Armadale Regional Recreation Reserve (ARRR).
And on Saturday, the city got nothing but net.
“The City of Armadale is delighted to see the commitment from the Cook Government of $20M toward the ARRR, which will address the significant shortfall of hard-court facilities available to our residents,” Mayor Ruth Butterfield said.
“So many of our kids have been missing out on playing netball and basketball, and with such a rapidly growing population the gap will continue to widen. This development will be an absolute game changer with families not having to transport their children long distances to play.”
A last-minute pivot by the City of Armadale to break up its ambition for Stage 1 of the ARRR into two more digestible chunks is more than likely to have contributed to their success.
Stage 1 in full was touted to cost $76 million and provide 20 new outdoor and eight indoor courts alongside a cutting-edge indoor sporting complex with gym and community facilities.
At the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing last September, the city was hoping to secure $33 million each from state and federal governments, with the city making up the $10 million difference.
“The city took on board feedback after the MoU signing, and put together an alternative delivery option, splitting the ARRR into two tranches – Stage 1A and Stage 1B. The city felt this prudent advocacy approach would position us in the best possible way to gain the necessary funding,” Mayor Butterfield said.
“The city’s efforts to ensure the project provides a useable facility as soon as possible for our community would see Stage 1A deliver an initial six indoor and 10 outdoor multi-purpose courts, an office, changerooms and toilets, kitchen, car parking and lighting.
“The total project cost of Stage 1A is $48.8 million.
“The city submitted a formal $20 million funding request as part of Stage 1A to the State Government late last year, and has made an application for a matching $20 million from the Federal Government under its Urban Precincts and Partnership Program.”
We asked local federal member Matt Keogh how likely it was that the federal government would come through with the goods, and whether he had been advocating for the ARRR in Canberra.
“This is a project I’ve been talking about since I was involved with the Armadale Redevelopment Authority – it’s great to see it progressing to fruition,” he said.
“Our community is home to so many impressive athletes but the facilities available haven’t kept up with demand.
“As our community grows rapidly our sporting facilities need to as well.”
So, no real clues there.
And of course, Saturday’s promise of $20 million is contingent on the Cook Government being re-elected.
But Mayor Butterfield has confirmed they’re ready to start as soon as the money is locked in.
“With successful funding commitments, construction of Stage 1A of the ARRR can commence next financial year,” she said.
