Wimmera Regional Multi-Sport Feasibility Study

A feasibility study is a high level detailed investigation into the viability of a project. A feasibility study is not a capture of ‘wants and desires’ but of what is required, now and into the future, what is sustainable and how facility gaps can be addressed.

The work was commissioned by Council and considered catchment, population changes, sporting participation trends and state level strategic plans for sport in our region. The study focused on the feasibility of facility upgrades - whether upgrades were affordable and would be supported by local groups and State Sporting Associations.

In the early stages of the study, local sporting clubs were contacted and invited to provide input. Information provided by local sporting clubs is included in the final report.

The study considered feedback from the state and local sporting bodies and investigated options to fund, build, use and maintain the different facilities.

The study has been endorsed by Council and detailed community engagement for each of the sites can proceed.

Victorian sporting facility guidelines and input from 13 State Sporting Associations helped identify sporting facility levels required for our municipality.

A mix of regional, municipal and local level facilities is required to meet current and projected usage.

The Study identifies the development priorities Council needs to consider over the next 10-20 years based the current sports participation trends, population demographic shifts and aging infrastructure across the Horsham community. It also factors in potential increases to population growth if sectors like mining are approved for the region.

The population of the Horsham municipality is projected to be stable over the next 10 – 15 years, with moderate population increase anticipated in the range 0f 0.5-1.5%.

A total of ten sites, involving 14 land owners /managers were investigated.

One of the first actions in the study was to identify the land mass required for a multi-purpose sporting precinct. The required land area was calculated to be 15ha. This discounted some locations due to sheer size, the rail corridor was one such site.

Little Athletics Victoria is supportive of the Dudley W Cornell site layout and acknowledge the proposed design is the most sustainable and affordable option for Council. 

Little Athletics Victoria also recognises the benefits of a multi-use sport precinct and supports a grass track surface rather than synthetic. 

Synthetic surfaces are not being recommended at this stage but concept plans allow for future-proofing if demand for sports or their status as a facility changes  – from municipal to regional.

A single precinct of regional level facilities for multiple sports is not affordable for our municipality. The required land mass is not available, construction costs would be prohibitive and local participation numbers (current and projected over a 10 year period) would result in facilities not being fully utilized.

The distributed model of development provides affordable options of upgrades that can be implemented as funding becomes available.

Council will be relying on significant amounts of external funding for the projects from a combination of external (State and Federal funding sources). There will be also internal, HRCC funding required.  Funding is not guaranteed. Factual, logical and independent assessment of demand, gaps and standards is required to make a case for investment.

Facilities at both the Haven Recreation Reserve and Dudley W Cornell Park are currently managed by HRCC.

The feasibility study provides management options for the Indoor stadium and this will be investigated in further detail with the development of the project.

A number of sites were assessed for the location of the indoor stadium. This included the Horsham Showgrounds and the velodrome. The site assessment tool identified that the Dimboola Rd site is the best location for the stadium.

Negotiations with Horsham College have been underway for more than 6 months to consider the development of an indoor/outdoor stadium facility and a hockey pitch at the Dimboola Road oval location.

Management and use of the indoor stadium will be worked through as part of the project development.

The facility will be available to all local clubs, not only those located at the facility.

Squash Victoria was provided with an email update on the final design outcomes and confirmation that new squash courts were excluded due to cost constraints for the project.

The Squash Club will continue to work with council officers to discuss options to support the club.

The Horsham Croquet Club does not wish to relocate from the existing facility, adjacent to the Lawn Tennis Courts. 

Croquet Victoria strongly supports the Horsham Croquet Club in remaining at the existing facility and did not want croquet included in the planning of a regional multi-sport precinct.

Kalimna Park Croquet Club is located in Baillie St and also did not want to be included in a regional sporting precinct.

In recent years, the Horsham Table Tennis Association moved to a new venue.

Table Tennis Victoria is very supportive of being considered in a new Indoor Stadium development, which could attract regional tournaments and events if the facility was suitable for the sport’s technical requirements.

Basketball Victoria and the Horsham Amateur Basketball Association are supportive of the new indoor stadium design and site location.  Having a new compliant venue will help the growth of basketball in the region. 

The Association will remain at the venue in McPherson St but will use the regional stadium for tournaments. Locating the stadium near Horsham College will encourage after school training and skills pathway development.

Cricket Victoria is supportive of the Wimmera Sports Precincts project and proposed site layouts.  They appreciated the early consultation on proposed redevelopment of the Dimboola Road oval and that Council is committed to an alternative oval for cricket use. 

Meetings have been held with representatives from both the Horsham Cricket Association and with Jung Tigers Cricket Club and options to identify an alternate site for the Club are being investigated.

There is no plan to shut down courts or relocate clubs.

It is expected that the potential to schedule all-year use of facilities because of lighting and other improvements will result in an increase in people playing the various sports and a programming shift to the new or upgraded facilities.