Bundaberg Indoor Sports Centre is due to reopen on 12 July after undergoing an extensive refurbishment during the COVID lockdown.
Owner Ashlee Kinnest said the cancellation of some competitive sports had led to increased interest in indoor activities.
āEver since we posted on Facebook about our reopening, my phoneās been ringing off the hook,ā Ashlee said.
āLadies netball, mixed netball and junior netball has been ridiculously busy, because theyāre not playing (outdoors) now and weāve got a couple of outdoor teams that have come to indoor to keep up their skills.ā
A new refurbished indoor sports centre will greet returning players.
The higher demand in indoor sports comes at a fortuitous time and the centre now offers a variety of new facilities.
During lockdown, Ashlee and husband Colin embarked on an extensive refurbishment program that has transformed the centre and will help cater to current and future members.
“Weāve only owned the centre for three years and we have been slowly bringing the place back into the 21st century,” Ashlee said.
“We wanted to do the carpets and nets for a long time, but because itās such a big job and the only time I close down is over Christmas we just couldnāt afford to do it.
āItās actually just been a really good time to get things done; all those jobs that have been on the backburner we were able to get done and really upgrade the place.
āIt worked out really well in that we were able to renovate and make it look like youāre not coming back to the same space.ā
That space now includes new carpet, new netting, new speakers and upgraded umpire stands.
Ashlee also noted the biggest change is a new canteen that will offer hot meals.
āA lot of the people that come and play are there for three to four hours sometimes, so they like to have big meals,ā she said.
āWeāre fully licensed with a fully licensed bar, and weāre also in the process of getting a cocktail bar to make it more functional.ā
The centre will reopen on 12 July, but Ashlee said players will still have to abide by COVID guidelines.
āWe return under the four-square metre rule and our space can fit 250 people maximum.”
Bundaberg Indoor Sports Centre offers indoor cricket, indoor netball, indoor softball, dodgeball and darts.
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