By Gabrielle Costa
THE West’s tennis stars of tomorrow could soon be training close to home after the State Government announced it would kick in $92,000 for new sporting facilities at Braybrook Park – this comes on top of an earlier government commitment of $250,000.
The cash effectively doubles the amount earmarked for new courts, with the City of Maribyrnong promising a similar amount for the “Free to Public” tennis courts that form part of the Braybrook master plan.
The funds will be used for tennis courts at the Churchill Avenue Park, as well as an outdoor multi-court facility for basketball, netball and soccer.
The master plan involves an $840,000 facelift for the site in the heart of Braybrook. The bulk of the cash – $500,000 – will come from the council, with the state Department of Human Services kicking in $250,000.
It will be used to upgrade sporting facilities as well as building walking paths, barbecues and informal recreation areas.
“Council has been working with the community to develop a vision for Braybrook, and for a while now the community’s been asking for public tennis facilities and with this funding, Braybrook will get their courts,” Maribyrnong mayor Michelle MacDonald said. “For years young people in the area have been asking for basketball courts and we are so happy to be able to provide them.”
Footscray MP Marsha Thomson agreed there had been long-running calls from the community for improved sporting facilities: “This is a wonderful result for Braybrook and these projects will encourage more people, especially the younger residents, to play and enjoy sport in their local area.”
Announcing the funding, which was delivered under the community facilities funding program, Sport and Recreation Minister James Merlino said the development would provide locals with a “sporting precinct where they can meet friends and play a variety of sports, free of charge”.
Works at the park are likely to begin late next month.
