$10m Mundaring Arena on track for completion by year’s end

DESPITE the wet weather, construction of the new $10 million Mundaring Arena is on track for completion by the end of this year.

Shire of Mundaring President David Lavell said it was fantastic to see the project coming to fruition.

“As winter sets in, our local sports players brave the elements to play on the outdoor courts,” he said.

“From next year players will be offered a greater level of comfort as they’ll be able to use it in the rain, as well as in the harsh summer heat.

“We look forward to delivering this vital community project which can be enjoyed for generations to come.”

Hills Raiders Basketball Association President Bob Little, who has been lobbying for the indoor facility for more than three decades, said the arena would be a boon for local sporting groups.

“Our basketball competition is currently at capacity with 170 teams playing here,” he said.

“This arena will allow us to join the WA Basketball League and grow our competition.”

Hills Night Hockey Association President Mary Ball said the new arena would allow the club to keep its top players.

“At the moment we are losing the top echelon of our players,” she said.

“We have had so many kids move on because we can’t cater for them including one girl who started here in the under-7s comp and is now playing for the Hockeyroos.”

Eastern Hills Netball Association President Fiona Malloch said the arena would allow netball to be played year round.

“We have a huge catchment area for netballers with players ranging in age from six to 60 across more than 200 teams,” she said.

“The arena will also allow us to host state exhibition matches and increase our membership.”

Shire recreation and leisure services manager Kirk Kitchener said there were future aspirations for the arena to be more than a sporting facility.

“Extra space has been set aside so it can be used for other purposes such as concerts, exhibitions and graduations or as an emergency recovery centre in the event of a disaster such as a fire,” he said.

Bendigo Bank in Mundaring has pledged $100,000 towards the project, with local basketball, hockey and netball clubs pledging between$10,000 and $30,000 each.

The State Government is providing $3 million in funding, with the Shire funding the remainder.

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