A PROPOSAL to build three outdoor basketball courts in Albury has received an unexpected boost from two council election tickets spearheaded by former mayor Kevin Mack and Cr Darren Cameron.
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Basketball coach Chris Maginnity launched a petition to build the courts and accompanying infrastructure somewhere in Albury and is closing in on 1000 signatures of support.
Cr Ross Jackson, who is a member of Cr Mack’s ticket, will present the petition at the final council meeting before the September 10 election on Monday night.
Cr Jackson will then seek to have the matter discussed.
Mr Maginnity welcomed the courts being made an election issue as he had hoped.
“It something Albury really needs,” he said.
“The only available indoor courts are either being used or are closed.
“The cost of court hire per hour is upwards of $40.
“Outdoor courts would make it affordable for people to train and practice."
Albury-Wodonga Bandits ace Deba George said he had seen outdoor courts work well in Cairns and Darwin.
They also exist in Melbourne and Sydney and are popular in overseas countries including the US.
Cr Mack said outdoor courts at schools, which were previously available for use by the public, had been put off limits due to security reasons.
“We need to be really clever where we put these courts because they need to be accessible across the broader community,” he said.
“People with a social disadvantage cannot afford to play on indoor courts we have in Albury.
“We need to make available court space for young people and their families. It is important for their well-being.”
Cr Cameron said the outdoor basketball courts “ticked all the boxes”.
“Being ultra-conservative I reckon we would have change out of $750,000 for three courts,” he said.
“They could be so successful we could build a series of them across Albury.
“It gives children and young people, particularly those from low socio-economic backgrounds, something cool to do. Not everyone feels comfortable walking into, or has got the money to play at the Lauren Jackson Sports Centre.”
Meanwhile, council on Monday is expected to approve a development application for the first stage works of the Lavington Oval redevelopment.
Works include a new multi-purpose oval at the eastern end of the existing oval and amenities building. The application required independent assessment due to the facility being owned by council.
