$37M SPORTS BLUEPRINT

A whopping $37 million is set to be poured into sporting facilities within the City of Busselton over the next 10 years — and one site could have an AFL affiliation.

A key project in the council’s long-awaited 2020-2030 sport and recreation strategy, endorsed on Wednesday, is to begin concept planning with the West Coast Eagles for a sports talent hub at Bovell Sports Park.

Other proposals include the further development of Vasse Playing Fields, a district squash facility at Busselton Golf Club, and development of a community oval in Yalyalup.

The Dunsborough community’s calls for greater facilities look to be answered, with a new Dunsborough Lakes Sports Park planned.

The park will incorporate infrastructure for soccer, cricket and court sports.

The Dunsborough Playing Fields will be reconfigured to be a home base for Australian Rules and the Naturaliste Community Centre will be refocused to cater for more sport and recreation activities, including the potential for a gym, group fitness and a multi-purpose room.

Moving the Dunsborough Library will also be investigated.

The council’s aquatic spaces will be under review in the next decade, with plans to redevelop Geographe Leisure Centre’s existing indoor 25m pool to create a dedicated program pool and re-purpose the other 25m pool for laps.

The strategy recommends that the council consider additional aquatic spaces, including a 50m district pool and Dunsborough aquatic space after this 10-year period.

It also suggests that potential sport spaces in Ambergate and Bovell be investigated.

The strategy is the result of more than a year of consultation and analysis.

Four workshops were held, more than 500 people responded to a community survey, and the council held meetings with 79 sporting clubs and associations.

In the past 10 years, the council has invested $23 million in new sport and recreation infrastructure, including new facilities at Barnard Park and the Busselton Tennis Centre.

The strategy will now be open for public comment for 45 days.

To view the strategy, visit your say.busselton.wa.gov.au.