Instead, handball is a more common past-time on the Mitchell Avenue multi-use court, part of the council’s Informal Recreation Project officially launched on Tuesday.

“The kids at Yarrunga now come here to do their PE classes, and there’s variety with a tennis court, netball, and a half basketball court,” he said.

“It is indeed pleasing to see the previously neglected and run-down facilities here in Mitchell Avenue receive a new lease of life and I am certain the multi-use court will be greatly used by the younger families as they learn skills such as tennis and netball.”

The Victorian government put forward $95,000 and council $47,500 for the three-pronged project – the multi-use court, the installation of gym equipment along the city’s urban path network and the development of a Frisbee Golf Course at the HP Barr Reserve.

The new court was the final project on the list to be completed earlier this year, with the Frisbee Park ticking over its first year last month.

Wangaratta Council manager of community and recreation Marcus Forster said the latter in particular had been very popular so far.

“A club immediately formed around the Frisbee Park and the weekend after it was installed they held the very first tournament there with people up from Geelong playing in the event,” he said.

“We get a lot of anecdotal feedback from the public about their use of it (the gym equipment).”

Mr Forster said a master plan for the reserve was being developed to identify uses for another derelict court on Mitchell Avenue, and on land stretching up to the old pool site.

“Part of that process will be talking to the community more about what other things we can put in,” he said.

“We did some engagement last year that brought up ideas; one was a children’s park, another was a mountain bike track, and also a dog park.

“We have a project to install a leash-less dog area – the master plan will determine where the best spot on the reserve is for that.”

- ELLEN EBSARY