Prime Minister opens Tamworth Sports Dome

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has said the new Tamworth Sports Dome will offer unparalleled sporting opportunities for people in the New England region.

The Prime Minister joined the Member for New England, Tony Windsor for the official opening of the Tamworth Sports Dome in northern New South Wales yesterday (Tuesday 17th May).

The Federal Government provided $5 million through its $1.1 billion Regional and Local Infrastructure Program to help build the indoor sports centre with Tamworth Regional Council contributed the balance of the centre's $10 million cost.

The new centre will cater for basketball, netball, indoor hockey, indoor soccer, volleyball, badminton and other indoor sports and activities.

The Prime Minister said the investment will bring significant economic benefits to the region, with all of the sporting activities expected to attract more than 3,000 people per week.

An economic analysis conducted by Sportex Pty Ltd estimates a potential market of over $13 million for the centre per year from major sporting events.

The completed work for what is the largest multi-function sports centre in NSW, includes construction of a main sports hall with four multi-purpose sport courts, access and facilities for people with a disability, change rooms, a function area that caters for up to 250 people, a cafe, retail space, administration areas and car parks.

For more information go to www.tamworth.nsw.gov.au/Recreation/Tamworth-Sports-Dome/Tamworth-Sports-Dome