Phoenix P-12 Community College promised $11.7 million for new sports facilities

DEPUTY Premier and Minister for Education James Merlino promised a further $11.7 million funding to Sebastapol’s Phoenix P-12 Community College last week.

When officially opening the $10 million stage three works at the school, Mr Merlino said that the government will finance a further two competition grade basketball courts as well as relocate and rebuild the tennis courts at the school if re-elected.

“This is a huge plus for Ballarat. We know that participation and demand in this sport in Ballarat is massive,” he said.

Mr Merlino said the construction of the new sports facility, designed to play basketball, volleyball and netball, has the full support of the school’s principal Karen Snibson and Basketball Ballarat who have been campaigning for some time for additional courts at the school.

All the College’s pupils will utilise the new facilities with elite skilled students having the opportunity to play on competition grade courts in what eventually will be a seven-day a week community sporting hub.

Ms Snibson said the school, determined with its place in the community, acknowledges the government’s past and future commitments contribute to the pride of the school and the community.

“Investments such as this really change lives,” she said.