Busselton netball bolstered by $1.7m facility upgrade

Sport and Recreation minister Mick Murray revealed the news on January 30 at Lou West Oval.

The oval’s outdoor courts and the Lois Hannay pavilion have received $400,000 of state government funding in the latest round of the Community  Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund.

The Lois Hannay pavilion will be redeveloped, and the facility’s outdoor courts  reconstructed as part of the project, which is jointly funded by the City of Busselton, Busselton Netball Association and the state government.

The number of courts will also be increased from nine to 12, with half of the courts to be multi-marked to allow basketball to use the courts.

Mr Murray said the upgrades would ensure the growing Busselton community had access to quality facilities, supporting grassroots sport and making it easier for local people to live active, healthy lives.

“Thousands of people enjoy grassroots sport at this facility each week,” he said.

“Quality facilities help sports retain and attract people in sport.

“This is particularly important traditionally female sports like netball, where we find it harder to keep girls engaged as they reach their teenage years.”

Work is likely to begin on the project next financial year, once the winter netball competition has wrapped.

City of Busselton mayor Grant Henley said the project had been more than seven years in the making, and would future-proof the growth of netball in Busselton.

He said he hoped the development would make the precinct a hub for netball in the region.

Busselton Netball Association president Danielle Cann thanked the City of Busselton and the state government for making the project a reality.

“I also need to thank the previous committee who worked tirelessly to make this happen,” she said.

“For our juniors and senior players, as they move forward, and grow with the game, to play at such a lovely venue with improved facilities is terrific for our association.”