Indoor stadium: Horsham Rural City Council to look at expanding current facilities as well as new building option

Councillors voted on Monday night to receive a phase one feasibility report.

Cr John Robinson succeeded in passing his own motion to require Horsham council to examine whether it should instead expand its current centres.

The key findings of the report included that Horsham consider a six-court shared use squash and racquetball centre with fully movable walls for table tennis, gymnastics or other activities.

“In the short-term, enable table tennis to be accommodated in Maroske Hall at Horsham College,” the report stated.

“The age of many existing facilities will trigger a need to upgrade or provide new facilities, especially in the areas of accessibility, amenities and safe playing areas within the next five to 10 years.”

The phase one report cost $22,000 and forecast that a new stadium could cost about $8 million to $10 million.

Councillors acknowledged that sporting groups had raised issues about prior funding and control of existing sporting facilities.

Horsham table tennis players have campaigned for years for a dedicated facility as they currently play at the Horsham Showgrounds next to sheep pens.

The motion to accept the report was passed unanimously.

Mayor Pam Clarke was absent from the chamber because of a potential conflict of interest.  

Cr Robinson said he put the motion forward because Horsham council had requirements around ratepayers’ money.

“I support the notion of this project but I have a couple of concerns,” he said.

“One of the issues is governance. One of our guiding principles is to look at refurbishment of appropriate facilities before the construction of new facilities.”

All councillors present voted for Cr Robinson’s motion except for Cr Les Power, who said Horsham needed a new stadium.

“We can’t afford to be clowning around,” Cr Power said. 

Horsham council has budgeted $23,000 for phase two of the feasibility study and will also create a project control group. 

The group will include one councillor and representatives of stadium users.