Murray Bridge is getting a $3.9 million basketball stadium (and a new wharf)
And an upgrade at the Murray Lands Retirement Village, thanks to the federal Building Better Regions Fund.
Murray Bridge’s basketballers are about to get their $3.9 million wish.
A new show court will be built at the city’s showground after the federal government announced on Friday that it would put $1.9 million towards the project.
The new building, described as a regional sports stadium, will feature a fourth basketball court for the showground, unisex change rooms, clubrooms, an office and reception facilities.
Murray Bridge Basketball Association president James Vowles was delighted that his players would finally have a building that was fit for purpose.
“(Now) we will be able to cater for future growth in our junior and senior player numbers,” he said.
“In the future, when we host our October carnival, we will be able to cater for greater numbers than our current 100 teams and 3000 to 4000 visitors from throughout regional South Australia.
“We will have a facility in our region that our members will be extremely proud to showcase.”
The showground’s three existing courts, whose exposed beams and close confines are not ideal for basketball, are currently used every night of the week by the association's 550 players.
A master plan for the facility was approved by the Murray Bridge council late last year.
Friday’s funding announcement had been heavily foreshadowed by MP Tony Pasin two weeks ago.
Wharf upgrade granted $1.5 million
Meanwhile, the next stage of work on Murray Bridge’s riverfront has attracted $1.5 million in new federal funding, in addition to $450,000 already announced for a shelter for riverboat passengers.
The city’s wharf will be redeveloped to better cater to tourist vessels, and the surrounding area’s Ngarrindjeri and European heritage will be preserved and showcased.
The Murray Bridge council included some concept images of the history and tourism precinct in a sigificant update to its Sturt Reserve master plan last month.
Retirement village’s community centre will get a spruce-up
Lastly, but not least, the government announced it would fund an upgrade of the Jean Jarvis Centre at the Murray Lands Retirement Village, on Pugh Avenue.
A $98,000 grant will be used for a new kitchen, disabled toilets, ceiling, and improvements to the centre’s library and outdoor area.
Village manager Sandra Bourke was thrilled.
“(This) will bring the 1986-built Jean Jarvis Centre back to being a hub for social interaction, not only for our residents but also the wider community,” she said.
All three funding allocations came from the Building Better Regions Fund.
The government allocated almost $300 million to 295 projects across regional Australia in the fund’s fifth round.
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