New approach for indoor sport facilities


Released 18/01/2016

Minister for Sport and Recreation, Shane Rattenbury, today released a report examining the state of indoor sports facilities in the ACT, and announced a range of steps the Government will take over the next 12 months to better utilise existing facilities such as Government owned schools and community halls.

“Sport and Recreation Services will allocate $50,000 in 2016 to improve community access to government school facilities, this could include upgrades to facilities such as security systems and storage improvements that are required for indoor sport and recreation use,” said Mr Rattenbury.

“I really encourage both sport and recreation groups and schools to take advantage of this opportunity to work with the government to enhance the role of schools as community hubs.

“We will also establish a working group with representatives from Sport and Recreation Services and the Education and Training Directorate to manage the provision of indoor sporting facilities across the territory to ensure greater community access to indoor facilities within ACT Government schools.

“Additional to the one off $50,000 injection, SRS will also amend the guidelines for the existing SRS Grants Program to further enable community sporting and recreation groups to invest in upgrading other facilities into the future. 

“The government has agreed with the majority of the recommendations from the report (commissioned in 2015), and work will begin immediately to implement the findings. 

“From gymnastics to badminton, futsal to roller derby and everything in-between, indoor activities are a vital part of the sport and recreation landscape.   It is important that we continue to work closely with our indoor sporting groups and facility owners to make sure no one misses out on the chance to be active.

“Indoor sports facilities are in high demand and this demand is only going to increase as our city grows.  We need to be innovative as to how we use our existing facilities and find alternative solutions to meet the demands in the short to medium term.

“This report gives us a comprehensive overview of the current indoor sports facility landscape and a strong evidence base for future planning.

“We will use the critical analysis from this report, in collaboration with sporting and recreation groups, to guide future capital investments.

“I look forward to speaking with the sport and recreation community to discuss the report and its finding and working together to find solutions to meet the current and future demands to ensure that no one misses out on the chance to be active. 

“By working together we can ease the pressures facing indoor sports and recreation users, and by considering the future needs of our community, we can support a viable and more sustainable industry in the coming years.”

To read the full report visit www.sport.act.gov.au.

- Statement ends -

Shane Rattenbury, MLA | Media Releases

Media Contacts

Name Phone Mobile Email


«ACT Government Media Releases | «Minister Media Releases