The Yarra Ranges sporting hub in Kilsyth has expanded again, providing more opportunities for basketball participation with greater accessibility.
Officially opening Kilsyth Basketball’s court seven and showcasing the newly upgraded accessible changerooms on Wednesday 6 August, it was hailed as the final piece, for a while, by all involved for Pinks Reserve.
Since 2019, Yarra Ranges Council, the State Government and the associated sporting clubs have contributed to improving and upgrading the facilities.
With the $10.5 million from the Government, the council added $8.5 million, while the clubs were able to provide nearly $1 million to see a new batting cage, four netball court covers, a redeveloped Gary Tait football and cricket pavilion and improvements to the Kilsyth Sports Centre.
“This facility is often described as the jewel in Kilsyth’s crown, but it’s the jewel in the whole Yarra Ranges,” Mayor Jim Child said.
“When we look at what this facility gives back to the whole of the Yarra Ranges community, that’s 55 townships, at some stage, there would have been a sporting body involved in an activity at this centre. And that’s why it plays a regional significance for our whole region.”
For Councillor Len Cox, the transformation from 40 years ago, when he was first elected, to now was something he’d pushed for over many years.
“The first time I saw this place was in 1982 when I was first elected to the council, and it was a lot smaller…and pretty ordinary,” he said.
“Back in the ‘70s, when it was built, disabled people weren’t thought about much, and there were no facilities for disabled people at all, and now we’ve got a lot of good facilities. There wasn’t even much provision for women.
“It’s all changed so much and so much for the better.”
Pinks Reserve now caters for the region’s netball and basketball competitions, seeing players travel from the far reaches of the shire.
“As the population keeps increasing, the need for these places keeps increasing. People want to play sport,” Cr Cox said.
“It’s good for them to play sport, and I think the State Government and the council have recognised that with the money we’ve put in over the years.”
This was echoed by State Government representatives, North Eastern Metropolitan Region MP Sonja Terpstra and Monbulk MP Daniela De Martino.
“(There will be) 10,000 participants who will come to a centre like this to participate in community sport. It’s really amazing. And it doesn’t matter what it is, people really love to play sport locally where they live,” Ms Terpstra said.
“Kids, they want to go and meet up with local friends…It’s an opportunity to meet new friends and join a team, and participate in team sport because we know kids who play team sport, they get so many more benefits than just playing sport.
“It’s the friendships they make and the connections they make, and it also teaches us something about winning and losing.”
Ms De Martino reflected on her own family’s involvement in community sport, speaking of the social, mental and connection benefits that arise from being involved in a team.
“The benefits to community when we build something like this, and when we do it in conjunction with local government as well, everyone benefits,” Ms De Martino said.
“So 10,000 people using this, that’s 10,000 reasons to do it, and then some for many, many years to come.”
