Pioneer residents would like to see council follow through with replacement of basketball courts flagged for Griffin Green development site
SHATTERED: Beau Kelly says the basketball courts in Pioneer are a central part of community especially for adolescents in the area who use it every day. PHOTO: Kat Vella
Members of the Pioneer community are unsure of the future of a popular park facility that will be destroyed to make way for the Griffin Green housing development early 2021.
Leonie Kawelmacher who runs the Alma Bamblett Centre in Pioneer says the community are worried the basketball courts at Dave Taylor Park will not be replaced before construction of Griffin Green commences, leaving Pioneer children without vital recreational space.
The Griffin Green affordable housing development is a joint partnership between developers Argyle Homes, Griffith City Council and the federal government that hopes to provide much needed affordable housing for Griffith working families.
"It would work great if council could build new courts behind the Alma Bamblett Centre in Rafael Walkway," Mrs Kawelmacher said.
"But we'd like it built beforehand so the kids don't miss out. Once the development starts building, what are our kids going to do? It's all going to be cut off from them."
Pioneer resident, 20 year old Beau Kelly says the courts are a central focus of the park for local teenagers who use the courts everyday to relax with friends, play informal competitions and get a bit of exercise.
PROMISES PROMISES: Leonie Kawelmacher says the Pioneer community want reassurance that a replacement basketball court in Rafael Walkway will go ahead as promised by council in the past. PHOTO: Kat Vella
"These courts are major for the kids here, it's like all they have here," Mr Kelly said.
"The older teenagers come out here every day to play, which is better than them playing in the street."
Mr Kelly is a first year bachelor of Sports Science student at Australian National University and has come home to Pioneer for university holidays.
"Before I went to uni I'd be out here every day twice a day to play. When I moved here I was taught how to play basketball on these courts and now I play in the Canberra comp," Mr Kelly explained.
Griffith City Council said they are aware of the park's importance to the community, however to date they have not been able to give any firm assurances of their plans to replace it.
"We are currently investigating options for the basketball court and Rafael Park is one option being explored. We will be consulting further with the residents at Pioneer before any firm decisions are made," Brett Stonestreet, General Manager of Griffith City council stated.
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