Cash for sports

By Nathan Johnston
VOLLEYBALL and basketball in Dandenong received a huge boost last week with an extra $2 million to go towards the redevelopment of the Basketball and Volleyball Centre in Stud Road.
The State Government’s $2 million announcement is on top of the $5 million it initially allocated to the project, along with a $1.4 million grant from the City of Greater Dandenong.
The council also agreed to increase its funding commitment by $440,000 at its meeting on Monday night.
Dandenong MP John Pandazopoulos said the extra funds would be put towards more court space and improved spectator facilities at the centre that has become home to volleyball in Victoria.
The centre is also home to the reigning WNBL champions the Jayco Dandenong Rangers.
“When it’s finished, it will be one of the largest indoor basketball and volleyball centres in Australia.
“It’s exciting that Melbourne’s second city is home to a national basketball team as well as having a world class volleyball centre,” he said.
“We have witnessed a huge growth in people playing volleyball and basketball in the south east.
“Since 2001, there are 90 more teams playing basketball, 755 teams in total, and a significant increase in volleyball and beach volleyball players.
“We don’t want to turn anyone away because of a lack of courts,” Mr Pandazopoulos said.
The finished stadium will feature:
•Six volleyball courts,
•10 basketball courts,
•Three indoor beach volleyball courts,
•Additional spectator seating in the volleyball area,
•Increased car parking,
•Improved change rooms, kiosk and reception, and
•Office space for Volleyball Victoria and the Dandenong Basketball Association.
Work is expected to begin in mid2006, and be completed within 12 months.
The additional State Government funding was reliant on the City of Greater Dandenong’s extra allocation.
It will set aside the funds in its 2006/07 budget.
Cr Paul Donovan said it was an important project for the municipality.
“It will be a state of the art centre that will cater for the increased demand for both volleyball and basketball facilities we have seen in both the municipality and across Australia,” he said.
He said the project would tie in well with the $92 million State Government allocation to revitalise Dandenong announced on Monday.
“This will drive investment in the city even further forward,” Cr Donovan said.