Candidate promises cash for sport upgrades

NETBALL courts in Buninyong and hockey facilities at the Prince of Wales Park in Wendouree will receive upgrades if the Coalition wins the 3 May election, according to Liberal candidate for Ballarat Paula Doran.

Ms Doran said she had secured a $600,000 commitment for the netball courts and a promise for the same amount for the hockey facilities at the Gillies Street North reserve.

She said the netball upgrades would include two new courts, lighting, shelters and spectator amenities, while the hockey pledge would help to pay for new female changing rooms.

“The Buninyong netball courts are a much-loved part of the community and desperately need to be upgraded,” Ms Doran said.

She said the overhaul would help to ensure that Buninyong people can play and train in a modern and safe facility.

Of the hockey facilities expansion, she said she had had strong feedback from the local community about the need for upgraded hockey facilities.

“New female changing rooms will support growing participation in women’s and girls’ hockey, and also enhance the overall experience for players and spectators.”

Officials of the netball and hockey organisations welcomed Ms Doran’s pledge.

“Our club, including participants of netball, football and cricket, has outgrown our current facilities and we are in dire need of upgrades across all areas of our ageing infrastructure,” Buninyong Football Netball Club committee member Chris Cartledge said.

“This is very important for the growth and expansion of our facility so we can cater for all participants.”

Hockey Ballarat president Jo Shepherd agreed.

“We have almost 800 players aged between six and 70 playing hockey each week in Ballarat on one purpose-built facility at Prince of Wales Park,” she said.

“The number of participants has at least doubled since the facility was built in 1992 and we continue to squeeze every minute out of every available training and game time.”