All-weather sport and recreation centre to improve Shark Bay lifestyle

A new all weather sport and recreational activities has been opened in the Western Australian community of Shark Bay.
The purpose-built $5.2 million facility, which also doubles as evacuation shelter for 500 people, was opened at the weekend by Western Australian Fisheries Minister Norman Moore, which was followed by a basketball match heralding the start of the annual Gascoyne Games.
Minister Moore said the Shark Bay Community, Sport and Recreation Centre had been planned for more than a decade and was a clear priority for the shire and its residents.
He stated "this magnificent facility will cater for indoor sport and recreation for the current and future needs of the community, while the secondary functions of the building will offer a gymnasium and performing arts centre which are also important contributors to the quality of regional lifestyles.
"The centre will provide meeting venues and be capable of hosting major events and have the capacity to serve as an emergency evacuation shelter, providing safe haven for up to 500 people during an emergency. This modern and functional centre will be an essential asset for the Gascoyne region."
Minister Moore added that the integrated design was developed following wide community consultation, stating "the lack of appropriate all weather facilities in Shark Bay is detrimental to the organisation of meetings and events, which can add significantly to community development and the growth of business and tourism.
"Many thousands of holiday makers make an annual pilgrimage to Shark Bay and Dirk Hartog Island, so providing appropriate facilities for locals as well as the growing tourism market is important to the local economy."