An Indoor Sports Centre at St Ives High School is a big step closer to becoming a reality after Member for Davidson, Jonathan O’Dea MP announced that Ku-ring-gai Council had successfully secured a $3.5 million NSW Government grant for the facility.
Jonathan O’Dea said the new Indoor Sports Centre would provide a multi-sport facility that can be used by the school and community year-round.
“The planned project features four basketball sized courts and supporting facilities.
“A strong partnership between state and local governments should enable the development of this important community infrastructure, where locals can enjoy the benefits of activity and exercise at a world-class sports facility.
“I congratulate Ku-ring-gai Council on their successful grant application and urge them to now formally commit the remaining funding so that building can begin,” Mr O’Dea said.
Alister Henskens, Member for Ku-ring-gai added, “This is outstanding support for sport in our area by the State Liberal Government. Ku-ring-gai is one of the few places in Sydney where the Council has not yet provided a public indoor facility of this kind.”
Two indoor basketball sized courts are already being funded by the Department of Education. Ku-ring-gai Council will predominately fund the other two courts, as well as related facilities and services.
Sports such as basketball, netball, badminton, wheelchair sports, floor hockey, footbag net, sepak takraw, sipa, jianzi, volleyball, futsal, badminton, kabaddi and dodgeball will benefit from the new facility. Other activities that could be facilitated include Active Seniors, Indigenous Performances, Chess Club tournaments, Zumba classes, Migrant Dance Classes, School holiday programs, Art shows, performances, competitive cheerleading, as well as hosting local, Regional, State, National and International competitions and awards ceremonies.
Vicki Dean, General Manager of Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Basketball Association welcomed the facility and said:
“The Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Basketball Association fully supports the development of indoor facilities. The association has lobbied for indoor facilities in the Ku-ring-gai Council area for over 25 years and yet indoor facilities are way behind the population growth – particularly with the large numbers of young children and teenagers in the area due to residential developments.”
North Shore Basketball League Club Manager, Yoel Hyman said members are looking forward to this new endeavour.
“Given we are already over capacity at the local high school gym, this is going to be a fantastic opportunity for the local community as well as for sports in the area,” Mr Hyman said.
Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres said the Greater Sydney Sports Facility Fund provides grants between $500,000 and $5 million for sport facility projects.
“The Greater Sydney Sports Facility Fund invests in new and existing facilities to improve the quality and accessibility of community sports infrastructure across Greater Sydney.
“Over the next three years, the NSW Government will invest $100 million towards new and upgraded sports facilities,” Mr Ayres said.
For further information on the Greater Sydney Sports Facility Fund, visit: https://sport.nsw.gov.au/clubs/grants/greater-sydney-sports-facility-fund
