A Macedon father of six has joined the growing chorus of residents calling for federal, state and local governments to support a centrally located indoor sports hub.
As reported by Star Weekly, residents and organisations are being urged to get behind the Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Hub group’s campaign for a six-court stadium, with existing facilities outdated and bursting at the seams.
With his family involved in sports including football, futsal and netball, Simon Bishop said the proposed complex would be life-changing.
“My eldest is turning 12 and my youngest is one,” he said. “I’m involved in three teams myself and, at the moment, we’re all over the place. A central hub would make a huge difference for families like ours.”
Mr Bishop said the proposal ‘‘makes good sense’’. “In the past, it’s been every country town for itself. This is a range of sports and schools across the whole shire coming together, and they can all benefit.”
Bendigo Labor MP Lisa Chesters has proposed a working group of federal, state and local government, and community representatives, to take the project to the next stage.
Liberal candidate Megan Purcell promised $100,000 for the development of a business case in the lead-up to last Saturday’s election.
Basketball Victoria and Netball Victoria support the project, which would include administration, storage, catering and bar facilities.
After meeting stakeholders and council representatives, sports hub spokeswoman Tamara Collins said a compelling case had been put forward. ‘‘The community support is clearly there,’’ she said. ‘‘We just need to get that in-principle support from council so we can go to other levels of government and take the next step.’’
Cr John Connor, who attended a recent meeting, said the sports hub group had done a great job putting together a ‘‘terrific proposal’’.
The group’s proposal shows access to indoor courts in the area is poor. The municipality is ranked 46th in regional Victoria, with one indoor court for every 3675 people.
Basketball Victoria’s facilities and government relations manager Wayne Bird said this made the hub an important project. “This region is under-resourced significantly,’’ he said. “The concept the group wants to develop is unique … [it] would be a drawcard.”
