CONSTRUCTION is set to commence on Wagga’s long-awaited multi-purpose stadium at the end of June.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The proposed $9 million facility at Equex was stalled when council was forced to trim back its plans to stick to its budget.
After several project modifications and negotiations with contractors, it has now been given the green light.
Council’s commercial operations manager Caroline Angel said Wagga will soon have an increased capacity to “attract regional and state based events.”
“Negotiations with a preferred contractor for Wagga Wagga’s Multi-Purpose Stadium are complete,” she said.
“Design finalisation and construction start date is imminent and activity on site should be visible by the end of June.
“(It) will feature three basketball courts, change rooms and function room.”
The building will also be able to seat up to 3100 people for concerts and 1200 for conferences
Wagga Basketball president Lesley Lashbrook wasn’t holding her breath for construction commencement but was glad the project was back on the front burner.
“Bolton Park (basketball court stadium) is in a very poor state of repairs, it was built in the 80s and hasn’t been renovated since,” she said.
“The facilities – especially the toilet block and showers – are sub-standard and Equex will be awesome for us.
“We’d prefer Bolton Park was upgraded, but beggars can’t be choosers.”
Between $30-35 million is earmarked for looming developments, including the $9m stadium at Equex, $7m convention centre in East Wagga, $15m PCYC centre on the site of the former South Wagga Bowling Club and a Bolton Park upgrade.
Local rodeo stalwart John Gill said the multipurpose stadium could also accommodate rodeos.
“I’ve been to rodeos at the Gold Coast Convention Centre and on the Rod Laver Arena; you just move the dirt in and out as needed,” Mr Gill said.