By Olivia Condous
Construction has begun on a new indoor sports stadium in Bacchus Marsh, as Victorian premier Daniel Andrews attended the building site on Wednesday April 13 to officially break ground on the project.
The stadium is expected to be completed in May 2023 and is stage one of the Moorabool Aquatic and Recreation Centre (MARC) project, which will also include an indoor aquatic centre and regional bowls facility.
The state government has provided $1.9 million for the stadium project through the Local Sports Infrastructure Fund.
The building will include four multi-purpose courts suited for basketball, netball, volleyball and futsal, as well as meeting rooms, a function space, change rooms, a car park and a cafeteria.
“This new local stadium will deliver first-class facilities for players and construction will support sixteen jobs,” Premier Daniel Andrews said.
“With grassroots sports back in full swing, more than ever growing communities like Bacchus Marsh need quality facilities they can depend on,” Buningyong MP Michaela Settle said.
The project will benefit the more than 1000 players in the Bacchus Marsh Basketball and Netball Associations and other local sporting clubs, which will be able to use the new courts for training and competition.
“The new stadium will give Bacchus Marsh basketball and netball clubs the increased capacity they need to welcome new members, that’s why projects like these are so important,” Melton MP Steve McGhie said.
As reported by the Star Weekly last year, Bacchus Marsh Basketball Association (BMBA) president Wayne Slack said the basketball community is extremely excited about the opportunities the new stadium will bring the sport in the region.
“As an Association, we have grown well beyond the capacity available with the existing basketball facilities available to the BMBA,” he said.
“So we are excited that the new four court facility will enable increased volumes for training, playing and also representative basketball, whilst ensuring the very best in game day conditions for all senior and junior players, coaches and spectators alike.”
As reported by the Star Weekly last year, Bacchus Marsh Basketball Association (BMBA) president Wayne Slack said the basketball community is extremely excited about the opportunities the new stadium will bring the sport in the region.
“As an Association, we have grown well beyond the capacity available with the existing basketball facilities available to the BMBA,” he said.
“So we are excited that the new four court facility will enable increased volumes for training, playing and also representative basketball, whilst ensuring the very best in game day conditions for all senior and junior players, coaches and spectators alike.”
Bacchus Marsh Netball Association’s Andrew Burr said the new indoor stadium will be a welcome addition to the sports facilities in the town and will contribute to the growth in community sport.
“Having access to a high-class stadium will enable us to attract more participants across all age groups and help showcase netball to the Bacchus Marsh community.”
