AN UPGRADE to netball courts at Great Western will begin on Monday.
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The much-anticipated upgrade is scheduled for completion before round one of the Mininera Football Netball League season on April 13.
Home to Great Western Football Netball Club, the new courts will ensure safety for players.
The existing courts were deemed unsafe for play at the conclusion of the 2018 season.
Northern Grampians Shire councillor Jason Hosemans said the first stage of the upgrade included site preparation and tree clearing.
"From there, it would be full steam ahead," he said.
"We are aiming for completion prior to the first game of the season - that is the time frame unless we get unexpected hold ups (and) that can occur."
Cr Hosemans said the club was also working on a contingency plan for netball, should the upgrade take longer to complete.
"The club is contacting the league to find out if they can play on the existing court," he said.
"It was played on last season, of course. It is a borderline court we would rather get this done before the season."
The new court will be next to the old court, which will remain at the reserve.
"The court will remain, but not for competition," Cr Hosemans said.
"It will be a nice practice area. It's a major advantage of getting these works done - to have somewhere to practice while games are playing and as a warm-up area.
"Previously, players warmed up on the road next to the courts or on the gravel, which is quite unsatisfactory."
Lighting is also included in the project plans.
"The lighting will be up to the Netball Victoria standards," he said.
"It will be suitable for training later at night as well."
Great Western netball director Amy Hurley said the upgrade would allow the club to plan for the future growth of the sport.
"The court will allow us to facilitate more training sessions," she said.
"We can utilise both courts on Tuesdays and Thursdays and cater for larger squads for our teams."
Mrs Hurley said the plans included the opportunity to further develop the site in the future.
"We will be fundraising for seating around the court in the future," she said.
Cr Hosemans said the upgrades would also allow the community to utilise a multi-purpose facility.
"The intention is to make the court multi-purpose," he said.
"It will have the added benefit for the community to be able to have a hit of tennis on it when there is no netball."
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