WORK on the new netball courts at Alexandra Oval in Ararat is due to start in October after the tender was awarded to a local contractor.
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Ararat Rural City Council chief executive Tim Harrison said the council was pleased to announce the tender for the construction of the courts has been awarded to Ararat-based business SHS Civil.
Dr Harrison said the netball court construction will mark the start of on-ground work on the Alexandra Active Corridor Project, with funding obtained through the State Government's Female Friendly Facilities Fund.
The Alexandra Active Corridor Project encompasses the facilities at Alexandra Oval, the skate park, and Alexandra Gardens.
Most recently lights and an electronic scoreboard were installed in time for the football season.
The grandstand at the oval will also be upgraded as part of the works.
"It's fantastic to see local businesses submitting competitive tenders that allow the Council to support our own economic growth," Dr Harrison said.
Dr Harrison said the construction work, worth $430,000, would include the demolition of the old toilet block, and the removal of a large tree and part of a hedge, which will be replanted on a slightly different alignment.
Two netball courts will be built along with player and scoring shelters, storage sheds for home-team equipment, and a terraced area to the north for seating.
The area will be fully fenced and the courts will have a synthetic surface.
The surface would be installed by specialist contractor Match Point.
Ararat Football Netball Club president Jamie Toner said it would be a community asset.
"It's not just about the Ararat Football Netball club, it's about a facility to be used by the whole community," he said.
"Positioning it closer to the spectators and community area brings the users together.
"And any development of new sporting facilities is always good to encourage juniors to take up sport. I think whenever new facilities are built the people's interest gets reignited a little bit.
"One of the big positives is the earth working contract has been granted to a local."
Council hopes the work would start in October, weather dependent and once netball season was over.
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