Four new multi-purpose netball courts have been constructed at Stanthorpe’s McGregor Park.
Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud joined an energised netball community at the park today to officially open the new facility, which replaces unsafe courts that have been unusable for the past two years.
“With a participation rate of over 1.2 million across the country, netball is a sport for all ages, abilities, backgrounds and genders and with these new courts, we have an opportunity for netball to again thrive in Stanthorpe,” Mr Littleproud said.
“The opening of the new courts is about creating social connections through community sport, increasing youth participation rates, and expanding the social and lifestyle opportunities within the Granite Belt region, but the new facility also puts Stanthorpe back in the running to host larger sports carnivals.”
Mr Littleproud highlighted how valuable sport tourism is to regional communities.
“Whether it’s a netball carnival or a junior rugby league carnival it means visitor dollars are flowing into the local economy and making local businesses more buoyant,” he said.
Four netball courts have been finished with an all-weather high quality resin surface and an added flexibility surface treatment to meet Australian standards.
The project, funded under the Federal Government’s $1.38 billion Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF), supported two jobs during construction. The Australian Government committed $150,850 and Stanthorpe Netball Association provided $45,000 towards the new facility.
“BBRF is about creating jobs, driving economic growth, and building stronger regional communities,” Mr Littleproud said.
“The Australian Government is investing in regional Australia to foster stronger regional communities like Stanthorpe, to ensure the nation’s prosperity continues in the future.”
