A feasibility study will determine the location of the proposed indoor sports centre for squash, table tennis, gymnastics and other indoor sports.

The city’s Sports and Recreation Strategy, adopted by Horsham Rural City Council last month, has recommended the centre be built near Horsham Basketball Stadium and the city’s showground.

It lists Horsham College, a new ‘greenfield’ site and the city’s freight yards as other possible locations. 

Plans for the centre include up to four indoor courts, including a show court with significant spectator seating. 

Despite the strategy supporting a site near the basketball stadium, Cr Tony Phelan said council should keep an open mind about proposed locations.

“I hope the feasibility study does in fact support that location but I want the study to occur,” he said. 

The Sports and Recreation Advisory Committee will establish a taskforce to drive project planning. 

Horsham Table Tennis Association president Jeff Pekin welcomed the feasibility study. 

The sports strategy prioritised a new table tennis venue after finding the association’s home at Maydale Pavilion was totally inadequate.

Its 100 players competed in bleak conditions in winter and sweltering temperatures in summer with livestock smells.

Mr Pekin said a new multi-purpose stadium would benefit sporting groups across the Wimmera. 

“We have taken two giant steps in the past six weeks to move the project forward,” he said. 

“With Horsham Rural City Council and the Sports and Recreation Advisory Committee being so positive about keeping the project moving, it is great for the potential stakeholders. 

“It could still be three or four years before we could realistically see a stadium but we are moving forward, which is a great thing for Horsham.”

Horsham Sports and Recreation Advisory Committee will also update Horsham City Oval’s master plan and establish a sports and recreation database.