COUNCIL is now looking to secure funding for an earmarked $6 million delayed project in an audacious bid to save another.
Councillors resolved on Monday night, through a mayoral minute, to apply for dollar-for-dollar national stronger regions funding to cover half the estimated costs of the three-court multi-purpose stadium (MPS) at Equex.
Council staff have vowed to work with Wagga Netball Association to submit the application, which would effectively separate the MPS project at Equex with the MPS project at Bolton Park .
Both projects were put on hold last month because the PCYC came up with revised plans for its proposed move to a multi-purpose stadium at Bolton Park.
Cr Kendall says the $3 million council could save if the grant is successful could either be reinvested to further develop the PCYC partnership or put it back into the budget.
If the funding is unsuccessful, however, both projects will remain on hold until the PCYC report back to council with their preferred option.
Council’s environmental and community services director Janice Summerhayes told Monday night’s meeting the Netball Association had been contacted and that they would take it to the committee.
Cr Greg Conkey spoke in support of the motion, stating it gave council the opportunity to expand and provided them with greater options.
Deputy mayor Dallas Tout questioned what would happen if the grant was unsuccessful, before general manager Phil Pinyon confirmed a report would come back before council if it was unsuccessful in securing this round of funding.
PCYC now have until August to report their preferred option back to council, after the $3.9 million project, expected to begin mid-2015, was put on hold last month because PCYC deemed the proposal too constrained.
The issue extends back nearly five years, with councillors first approving a $10.5 million MPS stadium at Bolton Park and the Equex Centre in March 2013.
Cr Kendall believes applying for the funding is a step in the right direction and also expects PCYC will partner with council to apply for the next round of the same funding, in two to three months’ time.
It's likely inspiration for the MPS projects will be taken from a councillor on-site inspection of a similar facility in Tamworth.
