By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
THE self-funded futsal courts, tennis courts and athletics track at Mt Hira College in Keysborough has left the school of 533 students itching to get moving.
The $260,000 sports facilities were officially opened for use on Wednesday 7 October, and principal Sareh Salarzadeh said it was fantastic to see the students making the most of the grounds.
“Before the construction the area was just grassland, now we have three synthetic futsal courts, three tennis courts and a running track,” Ms Salarzadeh said.
The major upgrade was also celebrated by Federal Isaacs MP Mark Dreyfus who cut the ribbon.
“I’m sure that this new sports ground will offer great opportunity to Mt Hira College’s students and aspiring athletes,” Mr Dreyfus said.
Ms Salarzadeh said the grounds had made a big contribution to the college’s existing basketball courts and football oval, opening the doors to a whole range of different sports.
“The teachers are in the process of looking into a new sports curriculum to make the most of the new courts because it’s quite hard to play hockey on grass,” Ms Salarzadeh said.
After being in construction for about eight weeks, Ms Salarzadeh said she was looking forward to watching the students’ abilities improve with practice.
“Not everyone is academic and some students shine in sports and we need to bring out the best in every child and facilities like these will help us do that,” she said.
The college is now waiting on town planning permits with the hope of starting construction on a VCE centre next year.
