Hope for martial arts centre

By Shaun Inguanzo
AN Australian-first martial arts facility could be built in Dandenong if a council feasibility report is positive.
Cleeland Ward councillor Paul Donovan is leading the charge to have a martial arts training and tournament facility built in Dandenong, possibly near the Dandenong Oasis, to raise the profile of both martial arts and the City of Greater Dandenong.
Cr Donovan told Star that many martial artists in the city had approached him about the idea since he first suggested it at a council meeting late last year.
“People came to me originally talking about the need for a tournament facility,” he said.
“At the moment martial arts tournaments are held at a variety of locations across Victoria, and as such are difficult to stage.
“The people who have approached me say they are looking for something more stable.
“Beyond that, there needs to be somewhere where martial artists can be trained at a more elite level.”
Cr Donovan said the profile of martial arts could be raised if the city was home to a state-of-the-art facility.
He said that the council was looking long term at redeveloping the Dandenong Oasis, and as such should consider including a martial arts facility to complement the fitness focus.
It would also help promote the city’s image as a multicultural destination.
“Martial arts is central to so many cultures and Greater Dandenong is represented by people from around the globe,” he said.
“Building the tournament and training facility would be a way of preserving and highlighting the culture that has existed for thousands of years in many Asian countries.”
Cr Donovan said a feasibility report should be finished by council officers before the new financial year.
If positive, the council will then seek government funding to build a facility.