T
he Chinchilla community has scored a premier netball facility with a major upgrade to the existing courts now complete.
Western Downs Regional Council partnered with the Department of Education and the Chinchilla Netball Association to construct three high-quality netball courts at Chinchilla State High School, for both community and school use.
Council Spokesperson for Strategic Communications and Council Facilities Councillor Megan James said the massive upgrade had delivered exciting new sporting opportunities for locals.
"Council is serious about growing our active, vibrant communities and ensuring high quality recreational opportunities across the Western Downs, which is why we provided around $514,000 to this community facility," Cr James said.
"As part of this exciting upgrade, the two existing concrete courts were removed and replaced with three syn-paved surface courts which greatly enhances the playing surface for players and referees," Cr James said.
"The project also involved installing lighting for the courts, fencing, replacing the adjoining cricket nets, and constructing a small adjoining office for the Chinchilla Netball Association.
"The courts are also designed to support other sporting uses such as basketball, tennis and volleyball, making it a fantastic multi-use facility able to be enjoyed by the community.
"The Chinchilla Netball Association is doing so much great work in the community, and it's fantastic to see this project completed to support their growing needs."
Chinchilla Netball Association President Kelly Statham said the upgraded facility was a huge benefit to both current players and the wider community.
"The old courts were really deteriorating so it's fantastic to see new and improved facilities which will increase our capacity and meet our needs for a long time to come," Mrs Statham said.
"Having a new clubhouse will give us some independence and the new courts will make it safer and easier to manage players - particularly the juniors.
"Our netballers deserve to play on good courts and I believe the new standard is second to none."
Chinchilla State High School Principal Ian Insley said staff and students were itching to use the new facility.
"It's been exciting for our school community to see how the courts have been put together and come back after holidays and see the courts just about complete," Mr Insley said.
"The upgraded courts will allow us to cater to larger groups of students and attract district and regional sporting competitions when previously players have had to drive to Roma, Dalby or Toowoomba.
"Access to good sports facilities is great for our kids and great for our families because they provide various opportunities to be healthy, active and part of a connected community."
