Netballers score new facilities in Karabar

Netballers at the Steve Mauger courts in Karabar will have more privacy with a new set of change rooms on the way.

Council received a $541,899 grant as part of round four of the NSW Stronger Country Communities Fund, with construction company Ausco Modular the only tenderer for the project which quoted an amount under this threshold.

The company was unanimously endorsed as the successful tenderer for the project at Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council’s meeting on Wednesday 27 April.

Councillor Steve Taskovski said the project couldn’t have come at a better time.

“There are so many kids there without dressing rooms; this will let them enjoy themselves and be dressed properly,” he said.

“I live across the road from the netball courts, and I’m so glad we can do something for them.”

Councillor Katrina Willis also welcomed the project but commented it represented the perfect opportunity for council to roll out more renewable energy initiatives across the local government area.

“If funding permits, solar PV or hot water should be used in these facilities,” she said.

“If funding doesn’t permit on this occasion, I ask the council in future to include it as a requirement for all these new and refurbished facilities, so that we don’t have to argue for it after the case in the future.”

Her addition was endorsed by Councillor Bryce Wilson, who said the inclusion of solar pumps or heat pumps for the project should be investigated.

According to a council spokesperson, the new facility building will include two change rooms with airlock entrances, with one shower and two toilets in each room.

There will also be an accessible toilet and changing room which includes a shower and baby change facilities.

A storage room for netball equipment, a large social/meeting room and a fully functioning kiosk with storage room will complete the new facilities.

The new building will be located perpendicular to the existing change rooms beside the courts.

The Queanbeyan Netball Association first identified the need for more amenities at the Steve Mauger courts.

It estimated 640 participants take part in games there each Saturday, of which more than 90 per cent are female. However, there are only two male and two female toilets, along with one accessible toilet, which are located in the carpark.

These needed to be shared between 3000 participants plus spectators at a previous netball carnival.

The new facility will be maintained by council and Urban Landscapes will manage the project.