Canberra sport has received a significant financial boost with the ACT 2021-22 Budget committing funds to build new state-of-the-art sports centres, upgrade existing facilities across the city and partner with women's elite sporting teams to engage the community in sport.
This investment in sporting infrastructure forms part of the ACT Government's largest ever infrastructure program to support our city's post pandemic economic recovery, creating and protecting thousands of jobs for Canberrans.
As our city grows, the ACT Government is committed to delivering more sporting facilities to help Canberrans stay active, healthy and engaged in the sports they love.
Gungahlin, one of the city's fastest growing areas, will see investment in much needed sporting facilities for the community with works continuing on the Throsby Home of Football and the design of the new Gungahlin Tennis Centre is about to commence.
For the Home of Football, additional funding has been committed through this Budget, taking the total investment to $33.5 million, which includes a $4.5 million contribution by our partners Capital Football.
This is an exciting project that will support a range of community and high-performance programs for Capital Football and its affiliated clubs, as well as provide valuable open space for the community to enjoy.
As the project continues through the planning stage, the community is invited from today to comment on the design of the facility through the ACT Government's YourSay website.
The new Gungahlin Tennis Centre is also a step closer with a request for tender to engage a consultant to undertake design to be released tomorrow. A total investment of $8.4 million, including $400,000 from Tennis Australia and Tennis ACT, has been committed to the construction of the facility.
The centre will include up to 10 to 12 full sized courts; hot shots courts; a hitting wall; LED lighting; parking and a pavilion.
In Canberra's south, the upgrade of the Phillip District Enclosed Oval in Woden will bring it in line with other high-quality enclosed facilities in the ACT, such as Greenway Oval and Gungahlin Oval for the benefit of rugby union, rugby league and cricket.
The improvements will include construction of a new stand-alone pavilion; refurbishment of the existing Michael O'Connor grandstand; installation of new LED sportsground lighting to support night-time match play use; and general upgrades to the oval. In the coming weeks, the community will be invited to comment on the proposed works for the Phillip District Enclosed Oval upgrades on the YourSay website.
As well as infrastructure investment, the ACT Government is also investing $1.59 million to support women's elite sport by providing ongoing funding to the Canberra Capitals and Canberra United.
We are committed to growing and supporting women in sport and these teams help promote and develop basketball and football in the community and women's sport more broadly. They provide quality female role models, inspiring the next generation of female sporting leaders.
Statement ends
Quotes attributable to Phil Brown, Chief Executive Officer, Capital Football and Neil Harlock, President, Gungahlin United FC:
Community sport plays a vital role in the health and wellbeing of society, and we are grateful for the ACT Government's support in developing the Throsby precinct to enable our organisations to continue to provide that social benefit in the Gungahlin District and Canberra through participation in football and futsal.
Quotes attributable to Kim Kachel, Chief Executive Officer, Tennis ACT:
Tennis ACT is excited to see the progress being made with the Amaroo Tennis Centre in Gungahlin.
The tennis and broader community were ecstatic with the news from ACT Labor prior to the 2020 election with Chief Minister Barr, Minister Berry and Nick Kyrgios announcing the $8 million ACT Government commitment.
We can't wait to see the venue realised to begin to service areas of Gungahlin and know the facility has great community support.
It has been a strategic priority to develop tennis facilities in Gungahlin and growth corridors - this will be a great first step to address as tennis continues to thrive in the ACT and region. It remains a sport for all and a sport for life and we've seen a huge up tick in participation through the COVID pandemic.
