Having improved facilities at the South West Sports Centre would draw more people to Hay Park and increase interest from outside the region, according to a handful of Bunbury’s sporting organisations.
On January 23, the City of Bunbury council decided to establish a South West Sports Centre Advisory Group.
The council also asked a User Reference Group to compile a range of terms.
On March 21, the User Reference Group confirmed its membership and terms of reference.
The terms laid out by the group called for improved communication between the City of Bunbury and user groups as well as an enhanced understanding between the South West Sports Centre and user groups.
They also requested a forum for all user groups to discuss issues and work together effectively.
On May 1, the City council voted unanimously in favour of the group's terms and conditions.
City of Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan said the City would strive to determine the best outcome for the South West Sports Centre’s indoor courts and facilities.
“Our officers have engaged with all the users of the South West Sports Centre,” he said.
“Whoever the stakeholders or users are, we would like to have their input to determine the future planning of that particular stadium.
“Also, we have a broader recreation plan under review, at the moment, which looks at our entire, city-wide recreation facilities and grounds.”
Mr Brennan said the City would hold discussions with other local governments to note their ongoing plans for sporting facilities.
The User Reference Group now includes members representing the region’s basketball, squash, swimming, badminton, hockey, underwater hockey, water polo, surf life saving, martial arts, volleyball and netball communities.
The group’s next meeting will be held in June.
According to the Bunbury-Wellington Sports Facilities Plan, the South West Sports Centre’s indoor facilities should be reviewed given its economic benefits.
The report also recommended that the centre should be used for the State Basketball League, while the Eaton Recreation Centre should be reserved for sports development growth.
It also stated that further investigations into all of the district’s indoor facilities were required before any new developments could be considered.
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