General News
7 August, 2024
Stadium repairs officially underway
Warracknabeal Leisure Centre has closed its doors for at least three months while extensive repairs are carried out after an underfloor water pipe broke in the kitchen.
Yarriambiack Shire Council manager of community health Tim Rose said they thought the leak had been going on for a while and it had affected most of the facility.
"You can see where the floor dips," Mr Rose said.
The timber frame and a window that looks into the gym are also affected.
"The frame has moved and there is a crack in the glass that seems to have settled now," Mr Rose said.
All timber flooring in the foyer will be replaced as well as other damaged flooring, some plaster work, painting and new floor coverings around the venue.
"Some things will be taken up to get access to floor damage but it will be put back," Mr Rose said.
The gym will remain open but access to indoor bathrooms will be closed.
Mr Rose said submitting the insurance claim was a lengthy process with inspectors visiting the centre twice - once at six months and another at 12 months - to see how the issue had progressed.
Groups that use the venue, including the basketball association, schools, roller derby and others, were consulted by council and were advised of the likely timeline for repairs, allowing them to make alternative arrangements.
Yarriambiack mayor Kylie Zanker said the community had been working together to find alternative venues for groups to use during the closure.
Cr Zanker said once the repairs were finished the centre would be much improved.
"It will be a state of the art facility and will be great for the community," she said.
New professional basketball rings, with heavy duty glass backboards, have also been installed on both courts, bringing them up to the standard of the Ballarat Basketball League.
"The glass backboard makes it look a whole lot nicer too," Mr Rose said.
The old rings had wooden backboards, requiring council workers to use ladders to adjust their position by hand.
Now, the rings are controlled by a touch of a button which makes adjusting height and position safer and easier for.
"It's a great asset to the community," Cr Zanker said.