Merimbula basketball president Cliff Scarlett and netball vice president Megan Wright have welcomed the $1 million funding for the Fishpen courts from member for Bega Andrew Constance and $910,00 from Labor candidate Leanne Atkinson with Shadow Sports Minister Lynda Voltz.
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Mr Constance's announcement was made as part of $13.5 million funding pledge for the Bega Valley's sporting master plans that will also see significant upgrades to Pambula Sporting Complex and Bega Sports Ground.
Mr Scarlett said the money would allow the clubs to replace the surface, which could not be used during damp weather as it was too slippery, put a roof over the four courts and install lighting and a scoreboard.
Ms Wright said it would allow the netballers to run one competition from autumn through to spring without a break.
"I think it will attract the older players back again. We have lost a lot of players due to the slippery courts. This is only going to be a positive; we're hoping it will increase play numbers and the size of the competition," she said.
There have been a number of local organisations involved in the push to upgrade the facilities as they also use them, including the board riders, surf life savers and sailboard club as well as the basketball and netball clubs.
Fitness instructor, Tarryn Lucas said she thought it would benefit the community as a whole including those taking part in sports as part of their NDIS plans.
Volunteer at Connections Plus, Sarah Maguire runs an hour long program teaching basketball skills to adults with disabilities and said it would no longer matter if it was raining, attendees could be assured that the program would run as planned.
Mr Scarlett said there were plans to improve the clubhouse and grants had been applied for from the federal government.
In making the announcement Mr Constance said it was fully funded by Treasury and was not "an election promise".
"When he got to see the plans it was a no-brainer. It all happened really quickly," Mr Scarlett said.
Mr Constance said that the Liberals were doubling the active kids rebate to a $200 voucher.
"We've got too many obese kids, too much inactivity and too much sugar consumption," Mr Constance said adding that helping to improve fitness would also reduce the reliance on the health system.
After Mr Scarlett publicly raised the issue of the state of the courts in July 2018, state Labor candidate Leanne Atkinson and Shadow Minister for Sport Lynda Voltz visited and promised to take the matter to the Shadow Cabinet.
On Sunday, February 24, Ms Voltz and Ms Atkinson returned to make their own announcement of a $910,000 commitment for the re-surfacing and roofing of the courts.
"Both ladies have been fantastic supporters of the community project and their efforts have been greatly appreciated," Mr Scarlett said.
"It all looks extremely promising for the growth of both netball and basketball. The completion of the works will see the facility being used by an array of community groups not just the basketball and netball," he added.