The City of Armadale, Netball WA and Basketball WA have today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) committing to working together to advocate for the establishment of Stage One of the Armadale Regional Recreation Reserve (ARRR). Stage One of the ARRR will provide much needed high-quality netball and basketball facilities that will benefit the City of Armadale community and the surrounding region.
Following today’s adoption of the MOU, the three signatories will now work together to advocate for the ARRR project and for State and Federal Government funding to support the facility’s delivery. The City of Armadale has committed $10 million to support this game changing project for the community.
There is urgent demand for netball and basketball facilities in the Armadale region, with thousands of residents missing out on participation due to a lack of regional facilities.
Stage One of the ARRR is a multi-sport district facility that will address critical gaps in recreational infrastructure, providing 20 new outdoor and eight indoor netball/basketball courts alongside a cutting-edge indoor sporting complex with gym and community facilities.
Stage One of the ARRR is the only project that can feasibly provide the local community with access to appropriate and local sport facilities for the popular sports of netball and basketball, whilst delivering a host of economic and social benefits.
The City of Armadale is Western Australia’s third fastest growing local government area, with significant population growth in recent years meaning the City is now home to over 105,000 residents.
Matt Keogh, Federal Member for Burt said: “It is great to see the City of Armadale coming together with Netball WA and Basketball WA to reach this important milestone to forward work on this long sought community infrastructure.”
Yaz Mubarakai MLA said: “The ARRR is a vision suited to the growth of the southeastern corridor and is vital for the future needs of the community.”
Dr Tony Buti MLA said: “The ARRR is an exciting concept that has the potential to bring significant benefits to our community. I support the vision and creativity driving this project.”
Mayor Ruth Butterfield said: “The ARRR will be transformative to the region and address a major deficit of facilities and opportunities. Netball WA and Basketball WA recognise the importance of having high quality local facilities in our communities.
“These facilities are critical to supporting physical and mental health, and add to the respective participation and development pathways for these sports.
“We look forward to continuing collaboration with Netball WA and Basketball WA as we jointly advocate for the required government assistance to make Stage One of the ARRR a reality and ensure we are meeting the urgent needs of the community.”
Netball WA Group CEO Simone Hansen said: “The City of Armadale-led Armadale Regional Recreation Reserve will be of great benefit to the local community as well as sports like netball.
“Netball WA is looking forward to assisting the City of Armadale to advocate for the project with both State and Federal Governments. Currently, any netballer residing in the City of Armadale must travel outside the City to play the game they love. This new facility will allow for netball to take place in Armadale for the first time ever.
“We have included this project as a key driver for the south east metropolitan region in the Netball WA Strategic Facilities Plan. Once delivered, the Armadale Regional Recreation Reserve will help to increase the number of Armadale netballers by 130 per cent by 2030.”
Basketball WA CEO Nathan Cave said: “Basketball WA supports the creation of indoor sporting facilities which expands our sports ability to engage participants. The City of Armadale-led Armadale Regional Recreation Reserve is a great initiative which would see the creation of further clubs in the Armadale area and less reliance on Basketball participants traveling to other areas of Perth to be able to participate in our sport.”
With only five dedicated netball courts and three basketball courts in the entire City of Armadale, the local community is currently experiencing a shortfall of 20 netball and 13 basketball courts. With the City’s population expected to grow by approximately 50% by 2041, this shortfall will then increase to 30 netball and 21 basketball courts
There are more than 2,000 people in Armadale who want to play netball or basketball that are missing out due to a lack of facilities. The 1,649 registered Netball WA and Basketball WA members in Armadale travel long distances outside of the district to train and to play the sport in the absence of local facilities.
The lack of local netball facilities or a location capable of supporting an association netball competition has limited participation to less than half of estimated demand.
Basketball participation rates within the City for basketball are just 2%, which is significantly lower than the WA average of 15.4% for children and 5.1% for adults.
Participation in physical activity is proven to address key health risks including obesity, chronic disease and poor mental health prevalence, and is vital to setting up healthy habits for children and young people. The current lack of quality sporting facilities restricts City of Armadale residents from enjoying the numerous health and social benefits flowing on from participation in physical activity.
Stage One of the ARRR will support a significant number of local jobs, creating an estimated 319 FTE jobs during the construction phase and 44 FTE ongoing jobs once operational.
Please visit our Engage Page to find out more about the proposed development.
