A re-elected Liberal National Government will invest $100,000 to fix the sloping and cracked basketball courts at Rye Primary School.
For the past three years, the school’s sporting captains have been holding community events to raise funds to fix the basketball courts, which have significant slope, large divots in the bitumen and only one drain, which constantly leads to flooding of the courts.
This has led to numerous injuries, including broken arms, legs and ankles.
The school is seeking to resurface the courts with a safer, more durable surface which will greatly improve the safety of facilities at the school.
Liberal Member for Flinders, the Hon. Greg Hunt MP, said the funding would help bring three years of fundraising by successive Rye Primary School Sporting Captains to fruition.
“While on my Walk for Autism last year, I was approached by the Rye Primary School sports captains to talk to me about their basketball courts,” Mr Hunt said.
“When looking at the courts, it is apparent that there are several issues, including uneven surfaces, inadequate drainage and crumbling bitumen, resulting in several injuries and a dangerous playground environment for the students of the school.
“I wrote to the Victorian Education Minister in relation to the courts last year, who advised that the school should apply for emergency funding.”
“Thankfully this funding means the school doesn’t have to wait for emergency funding and can upgrade their courts to be safe not just for the school, but for the whole Rye community.
“This funding will greatly improve the Rye community and I call on all other candidates to match this funding commitment, to ensure the Rye community get a safe area to remain active.”