Squash club seeks new venue funding

The Busselton Squash Club is calling for potential investors to help build a new facility ahead of the courts’ closure next month, which will leave the club without a home.

The courts, located on West Street in Busselton opened in 1979 and are home to about 50 competition and social players.

However, after more than 38 years of play-offs the club is required to leave its nest to make way for new developments.

Club treasurer Geoff Brown said the club was optimistic and hoped to gather enough money to fund new courts in a standalone or as part of a mixed-use facility.

About 20 people attended a meeting on Wednesday night to call for shareholders and discuss the potential for the new facility.

Mr Brown said the meeting was well attended and he was hopeful the local community could come together to help fund the project.

“I am optimistic we can raise the money,” he said.

“We held this meeting to see what interest there is from people looking to invest and there was a general good vibe.

“So we are looking to the local community to put money in and fund it through that.”

Busselton teen Josh Mitchell — who is ranked eighth in the State — said he was keen to continue playing squash in Busselton and the loss of the facility would have a massive impact on players.

“The closest courts are in Bunbury,” he said.

“Dad and I used to travel there for squash for a while, but it gets a bit hard doing that every day.”

The St Mary MacKillop College student said the club had approached resorts about using their facilities, but most were unavailable.

He said a new facility would benefit local squash players and help keep the friendship and bond between club members.