The proposed $11 million Willetton Basketball Stadium expansion has hit the federal radar following a visit by Treasurer Scott Morrison last week.
Liberal candidate for Tangney Ben Morton has declared his support for the project and invited Mr Morrison there to lobby for it.
The Willetton Basketball Association is putting $1 million toward the project and they would seek $5.5 million in federal funding with the remainder to be split between the City of Canning and the State Government.
The expansion would see the facility increase from four to eight courts.
Mr Morton said with over 3500 registered players using the stadium and many more on the waiting list it was an important project.
“It was a great visit, Scott was able to see the need locally,” he said.
“Scott has said he’ll be looking out for the application for federal funding when it’s made.
“This is the first time anyone in the federal arena has been made aware of the needs of the association and so there’s a fair bit of work to do first.”
Canning councillors will discuss the funding commitment as part of wider budget discussions at their June 21 meeting.
Mr Morton strongly encouraged the city to support the project.
“Supporting local junior sport is a core responsibility of local council and they need to come to the party and support the project.
“I’m not going to interfere in council’s consideration at the moment.
“If they say no and they can’t find the money, I’ll be happy to work with them if I’m elected on the 2nd of July to go through their budget line by line to help them find the money.”
Association chair Phil Nixon said the visit was great opportunity to state their case on a federal level.
“He was very receptive to it, understood the merits of it and asked good considered questions about it,” he said.
“We’re just now waiting on (the Canning council) to be the first mover of support,” he said.
“The State Government has indicted they will match dollar for dollar the commitment the city decide on.”
