The Willetton Basketball Association has received long awaited confirmation of federal funding for its stadium upgrade project.
The Member for Tangney Ben Morton and Assistant Minister for Cities and Digital Transformation Angus Taylor visited WBA on November 4 to announce the Federal Government would provide $5.5 million to assist the organisation’s planned upgrades.
The federal money will account for about half of the total expected upgrade cost, but will not be available until funding from the State Government is confirmed.
The Member for Riverton Mike Nahan and members of the City of Canning council were also in attendance for the announcement.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull did not attend, as reported in another publication.
The WBA has more than 3500 players and more than 400 teams, but a waiting list of over 100 children exists for newcomers wanting to join teams.
Mr Morton said getting children into team sport could be hugely beneficial to their development and he was glad to have been able to present a cheque after months of lobbying ministers in Canberra.
“How bad is it that we have young people who want to play sport, volunteers who want to provide that opportunity, but we don’t have the infrastructure,” he said.
“This is something that came to my attention when I was first elected.
“This is where the government can step in and help out.”
WBA has already fundraised $800,000 for the project, and the City of Canning has pledged up to $2.25 million in support if funding from the State Government is confirmed.
WBA president Phil Nixon said the announcement was a significant step for the organisation’s plans.
“It’s only a small amount of money left now,” he said.
Mr Nixon said once completed the expansion would mean space for nearly 200 more teams.
A decision on the WBA’s $2 million application for funding through the State Government’s Community Sport and Recreations Facilities Fund is expected to be announced later this year.
