Wurdi Baierr Stadium complete and open for classes

AFTER much community anticipation, the Surf Coast’s new multi-purpose indoor stadium has been completed.

Wurdi Baierr Stadium, meaning the “big gathering place” in Wadawurrung has now opened for a range of fitness and dance classes, with more activities scheduled to roll out next month.

Shire mayor Libby Stapleton said the record-breaking project was designed to the serve the community in more than one way.

“This is going to be a much-loved community facility that I know will get plenty of use,” she said.

Located in the community and civic precinct of Torquay’s north, the stadium will be home to basketball, netball, futsal, badminton, volleyball, kinder gym and school use starting from February.

Funding for the long-awaited stadium came from the shire’s partnership with the federal government’s Building Better Regions Fund which contributed $5 million, as well as the state government’s Better Indoor Stadiums fund which contributed an additional $3 million.

Cr Stapleton said the $13.5 million stadium was the biggest project ever undertaken by the Surf Coast Shire Council.

“Partnership projects like this bring so many benefits for locals and visitors,” she said.

“As we emerge from the pandemic, gathering places are going to be so important in connecting us all and keeping us active.”

With reference to its namesake, the stadium is accessible to all ages and abilities, while featuring four courts, a cafe, meeting rooms, change facilities and additional car parking.

Member for South Barwon Darren Cheeseman said the stadium will deliver top of the range facilities to locals creating huge health benefits across the community.

“Leading healthy and active lifestyles is all part of the Government’s strong commitment to sport and active recreation, gender equality and encouraging all Victorians to get out there and get active,” he said.

Victorian Senator Sarah Henderson welcomed the practical completion of the stadium.

“The Morrison Government, as the largest funder of the project, looks forward to the stadium being embraced by the entire Surf Coast community,” she said.

The Building Better Regions Fund, part of the Morrison Government’s strong commitment to regional Victoria, contributed $5 million to the $12.75 m project which will be so valuable to the health and wellbeing of Surf Coast residents, together with our students.

“This is an absolutely wonderful facility for so many Surf Coast families.

“I was very proud to advocate so hard for this much needed sporting infrastructure.

“Regions such as the Surf Coast play a pivotal role in the growth of regional Australia and projects such as this symbolise the Morrison Government’s commitment to fostering and supporting stronger regional communities.

“Job creation is critical to this.  I am delighted to say that the Surf Coast Multi-Purpose Indoor Sports Stadium involved 37 construction jobs and created another 25 ongoing jobs.”

The stadium is now taking enrolments for sports. To find out more or to sign up, head to surfcoast.vic.gov.au and search ‘Wurdi Baierr’.