THE lack of quality sports facilities and resources on the Mornington Peninsula has become an election issue, with clubs and community groups calling for support from would-be MPs.
One group, the Southern Peninsula Basketball Association, wants the help of politicians and candidates to achieve its dream of building a community sports and wellness hub at Dromana.
The project’s key outcome is for a new stadium to become the administrative hub for all indoor sports in the southern peninsula, which proponents say will boost the peninsula’s economy and employment rate.
General manager Ben White said the SPBA had been working with all levels of government on the project for the past three years.
He said the centre would provide sporting groups with an all-weather, safe and cohesive centre that encourages additional sports, such as badminton and volleyball.
“This will be delivered through constructing an additional three courts and increased seating for 2000 spectators,” he said.
“The benefit of this project is to be able to engage with the wider community and cater for all abilities sports and development which is currently lacking in the area.”
Mr White said the association was pushing hard for the project, and that it was “clear it is starting to become a contentious issue with lack of resources in the region for this”.
The association, which has organised a petition, has met with federal Liberal and Labor candidates and will soon meet the independents and state election candidates in the hope that they see the merits in financing the facility.
Nepean MP Chris Brayne said he would continue to meet with the Southern Peninsula Basketball Association about its plans for a stadium in Dromana.
“We are also currently building an incredible gymnasium at Rosebud Primary School which will be an asset to the entire southern peninsula community.”
With the peninsula’s rapid growth in population and amenities in recent years, Mr White said sports such as badminton, volleyball and table tennis would continue to fall through the cracks without extra courts.
The five courts used by sports bodies at Dromana are now at 100 per cent capacity and as recently highlighted in Mornington Peninsula Shire’s indoor sports facility audit, at least another 15 courts will be needed by 2030.
The proposed Dromana redevelopment includes a show court, which will be able to attract players and clubs from around the region and meet the standard requirement to host major and regional events and competitions.
Mr White said the SPBA would be able to cater for all groups, including disadvantaged community members – people with a disability, the elderly, low-income, single parents, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and newly migrated families – as outlined by the federal government’s aim of driving social inclusion through sports and participation.
Vulnerable groups would be offered programs and assistance such as “walking with basketball” for those who are less active or able.
The courts will offer childcare, all abilities access and facilities, and designated male and female locker rooms for home and opposing teams, and a new administrative area.
Basketball Victoria’s general manager member and services, David Huxtable, said his organisation supported developing facilities to support the growth of basketball in the region, which was backed up by data on the growth of sport in communities.
“What is harder to measure is the positive impact that a recreational facility can have on the local community, with the capacity to increase the community’s interaction and the continued development of team characteristics,” he said.
Each year the SPBA holds the second-largest basketball tournament in the southern hemisphere, bringing close to 20,000 players, spectators, referees, and volunteers who often stay on the peninsula. It is estimated the event brings about $1.9 million into the peninsula’s economy.
“We are focusing on delivering the largest infrastructure project in the southern peninsula of an all-inclusive sporting and wellbeing hub. An achievement that would see countless benefits to the community and economy and rekindle social inclusion,” Mr White said.
If given the go ahead, the project’s new building will be located next to its current centre in Old White Hill Road, Dromana.
To sign the association’s petition, go to sthpen.com.au
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 22 February 2022
