State opposition sports spokesman Danny O’Brien pledged Ballarat Sports and Events Centre would receive the full $5.1 million needed for stage two of the project, should the Liberal-Nationals be elected in November.

A key feature of plans is for purpose-built three-on-three basketball courts, half the size of regular courts, in the precinct promote safe unstructured, recreational play 24 hours, seven days a week.

Basketball’s 3x3 format – colloquially known as street ball – is one of the fastest growing sports in the world and will be introduced into the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Canberra was the first Australian city to open purpose-built 3x3 courts in June last year and Basketball Ballarat has been developing plans in this space a year ago.

Funding will also allow for a strength and conditioning gym for the region’s elite athletes and community members. A partnership is already in place with Federation University for this to be a learning space for sports science students.

There will also be funding to create a new modern, exterior wrap on the existing stadium, to unite it with the $24 million new wing which is already under construction.

Liberal candidate for Wendouree Amy Johnson has been a key driver in flagging the project’s potential with Liberal-Nationals leaders.

“It’s going to create another opportunity for people in our community to be fit and active. People are more sedentary than ever before. We want people to stay connected and active as a community,” Ms Johnson said.

“It’s also really important these 3x3 courts will be open to the community so people can come and play here any day of the week when they’re not being used by the centre.”

Labor delivered $9 million to stage one in the BSEC project from the last state election. A $10 million Liberal federal grant last July developed the project from a 1500 to 3000-seat showcourt and added two extra multi-purpose courts.

Mr O’Brien said this extra boost would be a fantastic addition to the precinct to give more people access to physical activity.

”There’s two elements (to the project), there’s one about sport and getting people active and giving them more facilities to do that,” Mr O’Brien said. “But then there’s the tourism element, the economic aspect, as well. Ballarat attracts a lot of fantastic events, and facility already being built here will increase the opportunity to do that.”

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