Esperance’s new $7.8 million indoor stadium officially opens

Esperance's new $7.8 million indoor sports stadium has officially opened and is destined to become a new regional sporting and social hub in Western Australia - able to accommodate State-level sports events, as well as community events such as the Esperance Agricultural Show.

The new stadium includes:

• four sprung, wooden courts for basketball/netball which can also be used by other sports such as indoor soccer and volleyball;

• change rooms;

• kitchen and kiosk facilities;

• storage space; and

• additional car parking.

The Western Australian Government invested $4.28 million into the project, including $723,000 through the Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund (CSRFF), with the Shire of Esperance contributing an additional $3.55 million.

The new stadium was designed by local company Wells Building Designers and Consultants and it was constructed by another local company, Sime Building and Construction, which has incorporated 71% local content into the final project.

The indoor stadium is Stage 1 of the Esperance Greater Sports Ground redevelopment, with Stage 2 involving a $1.63 million redevelopment of the adjacent Noel White Pavilion which is currently underway.

Western Australian Sport and Recreation Minister Mick Murray notes "Sport and recreation are the lifeblood of our regional communities and I am pleased the State Government is able to support this magnificent project which will provide first-class facilities for so many sports, and the general community, for decades to come."

Western Australian Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan adds "the new indoor stadium is a fantastic regional asset that has created local jobs during construction - with a local design firm and building company carrying out the works.

"Just as important is Stage 2 which focuses on the Noel White Pavilion, which will also help create jobs in the region."

Esperance Shire President Ian Mickel added "Sport is a big part of life in Esperance so it is great to have such a wonderful facility for our sporting groups to use."

Alongside the official opening of the new stadium, the current Esperance Indoor Sports Stadium has been officially renamed the Graham Mackenzie Stadium in recognition of Mackenzie’s 50-plus years of work championing indoor sports in Esperance.

The decision, which was announced at the official opening of the new Esperance Indoor Stadium was made following Esperance Shire Council having received numerous requests from the community.

Mackenzie has been the Chairperson of the Esperance Indoor Sports Stadium Management Committee (ISSMC) since its formation in 1985, when the stadium was originally built.

The ISSMC has managed the facility for the last 35 years, helping to host a huge number of community events including the annual Esperance Agricultural Show and operating the Esperance Over-Flow Camp Ground Facility.

Mackenzie said he was humbled by the decision and added “Sports are the glue that hold country towns together, they’re a place we can all meet and socialise.

“I’m very proud to have been the Chairperson of the ISSMC; it’s been an awesome trip so far.

“I got to see my kids play at the current stadium and now I’m watching my grandkids play at this new one, it’s just great.”

Treasurer of the ISSMC Darren Kennedy said Mackenzie deserved to have the stadium named after him and advised “I don’t think anybody truly understands the amount of voluntary hours and effort that Graham has put into running the stadium over the decades, and all for no praise or reward.

“For more than 20 years he has been pushing for additional sporting facilities, and now we are seeing his hard work come to fruition.

Shire of Esperance Acting Chief Executive Shane Burge said the renaming was a fitting tribute as “Graham has positively affected so many people in the Esperance sporting community it just makes perfect sense to name the stadium in his honour.

“I am sure he will be excited to see the existing stadium refurbishments finished and enjoy the results of over 50 years of his own hard work.”

Esperance Shire Council has resolved to commit to redevelop the current Esperance Indoor Sports Stadium (now the Graham Mackenzie Stadium) by installing new portal frames spaced between the existing portal frames, installing a new multipurpose vinyl sports floor for courts 1 and 2, and upgrading court 3; including repairs for multipurpose artificial turf and netting.

Funds for the $1.5 million project will be coming from the 2020/21 budget, made up by a contribution from the Esperance ISSMC and the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program and money from the sale of court 3 flooring.

Now that the new Esperance Indoor Stadium is complete, design works are currently underway on the upgrade of the Graham Mackenzie Stadium with construction expected to start towards the end of the year.

Images courtsey of Esperance Shire Council