Yarrawonga Mulwala Basketball Association steering committee members Sue Bigger, current YMBA President Scott Jacques, Brett Harvey and Amanda Wheaton are ecstatic that the Yarrawonga Multisport Stadium construction has been given the green light.
The Yarrawonga Multisport Stadium construction has been given the green light after an endorsement was made last week for the delivery of the project for the benefit of the community.
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Throughout his two-month tender, Moira Shire Administrator John Tanner AM has investigated the viability and long-term future for a stadium with a ‘Yarrawonga Multi-Sport Stadium Management Model Review’ conducted.
The operating model for the stadium is based on all information presented to Mr Tanner having met his overriding principles of transparency, accountability, sound governance and financial responsibility. The operating model will be used for the costings of the entire project.
In addition, at the May ordinary council meeting, Mr Tanner also endorsed a community contribution target of $750,000 over a five-year period as well as the creation of a fundraising committee to assist in the community contribution target being met.
“This project is again a project that has been talked about for a long period of time and has been slow to get going,” Mr Tanner said.
“This project is of significant interest to the shire, in particular Yarrawonga, so we want to clarify and be clear that we are talking about stage one of the construction.
“It has been clearly documented and presented to council, the usage required for the facility. In that regards we have to take into account the growth of Yarrawonga and future opportunities, if it meets health, wellbeing and education purposes.
“The growth of the community was very important because my decision also had to take into account the needs of current and future generations.
“Yarrawonga is on a continuous growth path for the next 30 years, so I also took into consideration the future while ensuring there was financial accountability and operational responsibilities.
“This facility will make a significant contribution to meeting future needs of not only our youth, but also other members of the community who need recreational facilities.
“I had a series of meetings with community representatives about the stadium over recent months and welcomed the views of all groups and their commitment to encouraging community backing to the proposal.”
Mr Tanner stressed that the stadium needed not only community support, but also their financial support.
“I cannot allow facilities to be an unreasonable financial burden on ratepayers,” he said.
“The creation of the fundraising committee will include representatives from the Yarrawonga Mulwala Basketball Association, other user groups, community representatives and council staff.
“Also we have to note the contributions from state and federal governments that are on the table for the project and we must be mindful of those.
“The Federal government has committed a grant of $3.3million to the project, with $7 million from the Victorian government’s Community Sports and Infrastructure Loan Scheme, $2million from its Local Sports Infrastructure Fund and $250,000 from the Yarrawonga Mulwala Basketball Association, all significant contributions which need to be taken into account.
“With the $7million loan, it is capped at a 2.5 per cent interest rate. That is a good rate to be locked into.
“In saying so with a 50% subsidy on the interest rate, it would be a very good loan scheme particularly at this stage.
“We look forward to working with the community as part of that committee as far as fundraising is concerned.
“It shouldn’t be up to one group to be trying to raise that amount of money.”
Moira Shire Manager Finance Beau Mittner explained that Urbankind Consult were engaged to produce a detailed report and recommendation for the management model options for the future of the stadium which led to Mr Tanner confirming the continuation of the project.
“A detailed understanding is important as it highlights to council the whole life cost implications for the running of the multisport stadium and future viability of the facility,” Mr Mittner said.
“Urbankind were able to develop two management scenarios for council to consider both with varying operational and cost implications.
“The option to incorporate the facility into the existing YMCA agreement or future leisure provider agreement is deemed to be most appropriate for council.
With Yarrawonga experiencing continuous rapid growth, the Yarrawonga Multisport Stadium will provide sporting capabilities for current and future generations.
“In terms of construction cost estimates, an initial cost was based on preliminary information when the cost plan was originally tabled.
“In order to obtain an updated understanding in the current environment, a total project cost is to be developed. At our June ordinary council meeting we should be able to set the final total estimated cost.”
Yarrawonga Mulwala Basketball Association steering committee member Amanda Wheaton said the committee are absolutely excited that the project has been given the green light and that now means that it can all move forward.
“We felt positive about the impending announcement at the council meeting, but it was certainly great to hear it finally endorsed by John Tanner that the Multisport Stadium would be going ahead,” Ms Wheaton said.
“With the funding from both State and Federal Governments already secured, too much was at stake for the project to be let go. This, as well as the undeniable and overwhelming need for the facility for our community, are absolute reasons why the project must go ahead.
“This means that we can move forward and actually get some action. Years have been spent on this project, with what feels like two steps forward and one step back.
“We have a flourishing basketball club with nowhere to call home. A stadium with compliant courts, adequate seating, decent carpark and up-to-date facilities will mean that our nearly 500 member club will be able to play in a facility that reflects the progressive and expanding nature of our town.
“It will allow for further growth for us and also enable other sports and activities to benefit from the space as well.
“It will actually attract people from other towns to come for activities and different sports tournaments and this will have a positive economic flow-on effect to businesses in town.
“The facility isn’t necessarily just for the young either, as things like walking basketball, yoga, tai chi and use of meeting rooms could all be possibilities for future use for the older population.
“We have made some progress, just the delays have set us back a step sometimes.”
With the provision that the community will have to fundraise $750,000 to ensure the project can be completed, Ms Wheaton was confident that this will be achieved and the wider community is behind the project going forward.
“We feel the target for community fundraising can be achieved,” Ms Wheaton said.
“With $250,000 already raised and committed by the basketball association to kick it off, the remaining amount is achievable if all of the organisations, businesses, individuals and families who believe in and support the project make some sort of contribution, whatever that may be.
“We have already begun talks with some organisations and businesses and will be looking to reach out to others as well as enabling individual contributions.
“The five-year allowance for donating, also makes it an attractive way to donate a reasonable amount, spread out over time.
“Details on how these contributions can be made will be made available in the near future.
“We believe our community is right behind building this vital infrastructure and when it’s something as worthwhile as this, community support will show through to make it happen.”
