Baw Baw Shire Council and local sporting clubs are celebrating a $6 million boost from the Victorian Government’s Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program to expand the Warragul Leisure Centre Stadium.

The $10.05 million expansion will transform the existing stadium space from the existing two court facility to a regional-level four court facility.

Key features of the project include:

• Two new indoor (basketball/netball) courts
• New reception and office
• Spectator seating and lounge viewing area
• Public amenities including accessible change room
• Two change rooms with amenities
• Referee change room
• First aid room
• Storage
• Two multi-purpose rooms for group fitness or meetings, and
• 70 new car park spaces.

With participation rates double the Victorian rate at 8.15 per cent, basketball is Baw Baw Shire’s most popular sport with 3951 Basketball Victoria registered participants and 1844 members registered with the Warragul and District Amateur Basketball Association.

The project is estimated to create up to 54 jobs for the region with construction expected to take between 19 and 24 months.

When complete, the project will further enhance the levels of participation in stadium sports in the Shire, allow local clubs to expand and provide a regional level facility that can cater for more tournaments and events.

Council is expected to move the project to the delivery stage in the new financial year.