Ash Bolt
Torquay’s Wurdi Baierr Stadium will get a $500,000 upgrade if the Liberal Party wins next month’s federal election.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Liberal candidate for Corangamite Stephanie Asher met with junior Surf Coast basketballers at the stadium on Wednesday, April 13 to announce the funding commitment.
Ms Asher said if re-elected the government would provide $460,000 to install “state-of-the-art courtside seating” and $40,000 for an electronic scoreboard.
She said the upgrade would support the growing Surf Coast population to get active and build social connections within the community.
“Wurdi Baierr Stadium is an outstanding community facility that is experiencing enormous growth,” she said.
“Some 175 teams participated in the [Surfcoast Basketball] Association’s 2021-22 summer competition, ranging from twelve teams playing in the newly formed under-8 competition to some 40 teams playing in the open men and women’s competitions.
“In the past two years, the number of teams has doubled. With higher level playing opportunities such as the Big V now a feature at Wurdi Baierr Stadium, this courtside seating which accommodates up to 500 spectators is now an essential requirement.
“This investment, along with an electronic scoreboard, will deliver first class facilities for local basketball and other events which attract a large number of spectators.”
The $13.5 million stadium was officially opened last March and funded jointly by the Surf Coast Shire Council ($5.5 million), the federal government ($5 million), and the state government ($3 million).
The announcement received widespread attention for a different reason, with Mr Morrison copping a basketball to the head while shooting hoops with children.
