There was plenty of excitement among Bungendore Netball Club players as they officially opened their new clubhouse facilities. Photo: Supplied.
Bungendore’s sporting community is celebrating a win this week, with the ribbon officially cut on a new netball pavilion.
The new facilities are the latest addition to the multimillion-dollar Bungendore Sports Hub.
An opening event on Wednesday (2 September) was attended by community members, local sports clubs, Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council (QPRC) Mayor Kenrick Winchester, Federal Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories Kristy McBain and QPRC Councillor John Preston.
Bungendore Netball Club president Tiffany Knight said the addition of top-quality local facilities would help young people stay engaged and provide opportunities for growth.
“It means we can potentially cater for more players, teams and competitions, while also creating opportunities for additional training, development and community programs,” Ms Knight said.
“Talent exists in regional communities like Bungendore, but access to quality facilities and development opportunities can sometimes be a limiting factor.
“Providing modern, accessible sporting facilities helps create an environment where young people can participate, develop their skills and aspire to play at higher levels while still being connected to their local community.”
The design-and-construct contract for the pavilion was awarded to Wood and Co Living Pty Ltd for $777,089 (excl GST).
Bungendore’s multimillion-dollar sports hub
The pavilion is a major milestone in the broader Bungendore Sports Hub project, for which construction began in 2021.
Work completed so far includes four hard-surface netball courts, two turf fields and a main facility building, and associated infrastructure such as lighting, drainage, dugouts, tiered seating and a sealed carpark.
“It’s fantastic to see the opening of the upgraded sports hub, which will enable Bungendore to host sports carnivals and other community sporting events,” Ms McBain said.
“As a long-time advocate of the project, I’m excited that community members of all ages will now have access to high-quality sporting facilities and be able to train locally instead of having to travel to Queanbeyan or the ACT.”
The Bungendore Sports Hub project is funded by the Federal and NSW governments, development contributions and the regional council.
The project has received multiple rounds of funding in response to expanding scope and unforeseen rising costs in land acquisition and materials.
A $2.2m funding boost was received in July 2022, with the NSW Government providing $1.1 million as a grant under the 2021/22 Multi Sport Community Facility Fund, which was matched by $1.1 million from the council.
The total project value is $7.9m (excluding the pool), according to the QPRC website.
The concept design for the Bungendore Sports Hub. Image: QPRC website.
Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council Mayor Kenrick Winchester said the new facilities would benefit Bungendore for decades.
“This stage of the project has delivered much more than the building,” Cr Winchester said. ”It has improved the wider sports hub with important infrastructure including drainage, services, fencing, solar, seating, footpaths, player facilities and car parking.
“The Bungendore Sports Hub is home to netball, rugby union, rugby league, soccer and Oztag, giving local clubs and the broader community access to better facilities in one central location.”
But what of the pool?
The new Bungendore Aquatic Centre was originally planned for inclusion in the sports hub.
A feasibility study for the Bungendore Aquatic Centre is underway, and a quantity surveyor’s report is being prepared, to understand the costs involved with developing on the existing site. Image: Supplied.
The development application was withdrawn following concerns about flood risks, odours from the nearby Bungendore Sewage Treatment Plant, and insufficient electrical infrastructure.
A QPRC representative said a feasibility study and surveyor’s report on building the Bungendore Aquatic Centre at the site of the current pool were expected in October.
