A PETITION led by the Woden Valley Community Council is urging the ACT government to build a multi-purpose sports stadium in Woden. 

The petition, which was launched yesterday (July 7), is requesting that the assembly build and own a multi-purpose indoor sports stadium in the Woden Town Centre that can be hired at a reasonable cost by local community sports groups.

The petition reveals that the ACT’s increasing population has a severe shortage of indoor sports facilities (exacerbated by the closure of Woden’s basketball stadium) leading to teams turning players away.

“Recreation facilities provide many benefits to communities by bringing people of all ages, abilities  and backgrounds together to socialise and keep fit. In addition to the physical and mental health  outcomes, they can inspire and motivate people while fostering community pride,” the petition states.

“A centrally located facility in Woden is accessible by public transport and would attract people to  the centre to connect to the community and support small business in the area.” 

Woden Valley Community Council president Fiona Carrick says: “While the ACT government’s policy is to support the peak sporting bodies, it is unlikely that this policy will incentivise these organisations to build more dedicated facilities in the south.

“Sadly the difficult access to facilities means players are being turned away and participation rates are not what they could be.”

The petition can be accessed here or via the QR code until December 31.