Yarrawonga Mulwala Basketball Association steering committee members Sue Bigger, current YMBA President Scott Jacques, Brett Harvey and Amanda Wheaton stand on the preliminary works that have been completed on the multisport stadium site which include carparking. The steering committee are pleading with the community to throw their support behind the project as the Moira Shire Independent Administrator John Tanner AM is set to make a decision on the future of the construction at the council meeting on May 24.
For over three decades the Yarrawonga community and local sporting clubs have been screaming for a multipurpose sports stadium with May 2023 being crunch time for the forthcoming construction.
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Moira Shire Independent Administrator John Tanner AM is set to make a decision on the likelihood of the construction advancing by the May 24 ordinary council meeting after the project cost blew out and Moira Shire Council faced their own turmoil with internal and external issues.
Funding for the stadium has been secured but the viability and long-term future for a stadium has become key.
Yarrawonga Mulwala Basketball Association Multisport Stadium Steering Committee member Amanda Wheaton said the facility would have multiple uses with several sporting clubs, schools and other user groups to benefit from the space.
“Work was done 30 years ago to try and get a stadium, with lack of funding being an issue that led to the submissions demise back then,” Ms Wheaton said.
“Sue Bigger was part of this group many years ago, and here she is 30 years later, still pushing for the facility that is still needed, more than ever.
“This has been needed for years and now is the time it needs to be built.
“The project now has state funding ($2 million), federal funding ($3.2 million) and council has secured a low interest loan of $7 million plus a significant YMBA contribution of $250,000.
“We have also been asked to provide community contributions via fundraising to demonstrate the community support and commitment to the project. This is crucial at this point. The funding is there and needs to be acted upon.”
Over his six-week term so far, Mr Tanner has spoken with various groups around the community about issues and projects as well as meeting with stadium stakeholder groups to gauge the support behind the project continuing.
In this time, committees of varying sport associations have been constantly working behind the scenes to keep pushing forward for the stadium to progress.
Mr Tanner said he has spoken to user groups and an operating model has been conducted to be presented at the next council meeting.
“Council officers and I met with the basketball association on April 12 to discuss the project and key requirements to ensure continued collaboration on the project in meeting sound governance processes, including commitments and deadlines,” Mr Tanner said.
“We can confirm that the Federal Government funding was finalised last week and we are now liaising with the State Government to align funding milestones and timeframes for funding.
“Council is also conducting a review of the operating model to be finalised this week. The operating model will presented at the scheduled council meeting on May 24, where a decision will be made on the project.”
Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell said that the funding is there, and the stadium will be used by many groups of people across the region, even more reason that the project should go ahead.
“The Multisport Stadium is a piece of infrastructure that the community has been wanting for years,” Mr Birrell said.
“The funding from the federal government was in doubt when there was a change in governments but the importance for the project was indicated, leading to a decision to grant the funding.
“I want to see the project go ahead.
“A delegation of Sacred Heart Primary School students visited me on their excursion to Canberra and made it clear that they want a sport stadium built in their town.
“There is a lot of community support behind the stadium.
“People from all over will use it; there will be people from right across my electorate that will visit Yarrawonga to use this facility.
“I am all for the mental and physical health of young people and this will go a way to assist that.”
Ms Wheaton said that the push for a sports facility in town was resurrected 10 years ago with several state bodies having shown their support of the construction getting the green light as if it is not constructed now, it may never be.
“The YMBA steering committee have been working closely with Basketball Victoria and Victoria Sport and Recreation to ensure their continued support for the project. These state bodies are very supportive and very keen to see the project be fulfilled,” Ms Wheaton said.
“We have also recently met with the Shire’s Administrator, John Tanner, to discuss the project and are positive that the project will continue moving forward.
“Nearby towns like Myrtleford and Kyabram have recently built new stadiums and Yarrawonga Mulwala continues to grow at a rapid rate.
“We are currently in the best financial position to get the stadium built with the federal and state promises of funding but if we don’t see the project go ahead and we lose the funding, it could be many years again before we are able to get the stadium built in Yarrawonga.
“It is absolutely mind blowing that a town the size of Yarrawonga, that is progressing at such a rate, hasn’t got a compliant indoor sports facility for community use. So many other country towns have indoor sports stadiums, yet Yarrawonga has nothing.
“Just in terms of basketball, YMBA currently has 487 active members, participating in junior competitions, senior competitions, Aussie Hoops Program and their Junior Representative Program.
“Currently, they operate all of these programs out of the two single school courts which were built for school use, not competition programs that are meant to play on compliant courts with seats for spectators, all-ability access and adequate parking and access.
“Unfortunately, whilst the school courts have been used over the years (with thanks and co-operation from the schools), these conditions are not adequate for competition use and the numbers of courts required to accommodate the growing number of players isn’t adequate for current and future needs.”
Yarrawonga and District Squash and Racquetball Club Committee Member Rochelle Shaw said the club would love to see the stadium constructed and to be a part of the several user groups that would benefit from the construction of a multipurpose structure.
“We would love to be a part of the stadium and have courts built within the new structure as our current courts have been sold and come end of the year, we will have to travel out of town,” Ms Shaw said.
“I believe squash or racquetball courts were included in the original plans which we as a club are sad to see they have been taken out.
“The Yarrawonga Aquatic and Recreation Club group have been very supportive of us and have tried to have us included. The more user groups the better for the future of the stadium I believe.
“We would love to see the construction go ahead and would be keen to be involved alongside other sporting clubs and user groups.”
Yarrawonga and District Netball Association Friday night competition Secretary Robyn Connell said that the netball association would love to see the stadium construction go ahead more so for access to certain facilities including indoor toilets.
The Yarrawonga and District Netball Association is joining YMBA in the fight for more community support for the stadium. Pictured is YDNA Secretary Robyn Connell with YMBA steering committee member Amanda Wheaton on the stadium site with over 300 local children playing netball in the background.
“Currently it is a bit of a safety risk when our children need to go to the toilet and have to walk a distance across the gravel track, often in the dimming light or darkness as we head into the winter months,” Ms Connell said.
“We also do not have changing rooms which is an issue.
“At the moment we have 300 children playing in the Friday night netball competition across six courts, having an extra two to use would allow us to be able to accept more teams into the association.
“We are excited for the facilities and for the ability to be able to play indoors when it is raining.
“Personally as well as part of the netball association, I think it would be lovely to see it go ahead as it would be fantastic to have a sporting precinct where varying sports are able to be played in the one area.”
Ms Wheaton concluded by pleading with the community for their assistance in ensuring the stadium goes ahead once and for all.
“It is certainly coming to the pointy end of the project, with all information being put together for the Administrator to make a decision on its future by the next council meeting in May,” Ms Wheaton concluded.
“The steering committee is asking the wider community to reaffirm their support today.
“Pending confirmation at the end of May, the project will call for support by way of financial contributions.
“The time is now!
“We have had great support from many community groups over the years and we will be urgently speaking to groups again in the next few weeks to ask for continued support and potential future financial contributions as community support is needed to help get the project over the line.”
