Stadium earmarked for upgrade in new council plan to keep city active

The 11-year Active Warrnambool Strategy, which has been adopted by councillors, also includes plans for a new walking track at Lake Gillear and another to connect Deakin Uni with the CBD.

The Thunder Point trotting track and coastal precinct was also earmarked as an area in need of development and use for more sporting activities.

"It would be great to develop it a bit more for other activities," Cr Robert Anderson said.

"It's got potential."

The strategy also calls for the council to lift the amount of funding it pours into sporting and recreational activities by $335,000 a year.

It also wants an extra $200,000 from Sports Recreation Victoria to fund female-friendly amenities at sporting grounds.

There is also a push to increase the council's community development fund by 35 per cent over three years.

Cr Anderson said Warrnambool was outgrowing the stadium and the council was looking at the future of the facility with another show-court and more spectator facilities mooted.

"Basketball's become really popular. It's nearly outgrown itself," he said.

Cr Anderson said there hadn't been any major discussions about its future yet, but there was talk that it will be a future problem.

"We may need another show court and more facilities for spectators," he said.

"The constant upgrade of facilities is enormous.

"We're very lucky we have great facilities in Warrnambool, we just need to keep our finger on the pulse and keep ahead of the deterioration of things."

The strategy found there was demand for up to four more soccer pitches in Warrnambool by 2036.

Cr Anderson said that in the council's draft plan for the Brierly Reserve, there was provision for two new soccer pitches at the corner of Aberline Road and Moore Street.

"Soccer's become very popular," he said. "There's a need for better facilities in Warrnambool."

The strategy recommends improving existing soccer facilities and providing amenities for female players.

Walking was the number one physical activity in Warrnambool, and the Active Warrnambool Strategy identifies a walking track at Lake Gillear, and another between Wollaston and Cassidy's bridges on the south side of the Merri River.

The strategy also suggests preparing a business case for an off-road connection between Deakin University and the city centre.

"A walking and bike track for the students would be ideal," Cr Anderson said.

Warrnambool people were more active than those in other regions, according to the strategy which aims to increase the regular participation in sport, active recreation and physical activity in the community.

An analysis of key sports found that Warrnambool residents participated in AFL, lawn bowls and tennis at a higher rate than the state average but the number of people involved in cricket, soccer, netball and basketball was lower than the state average.

The top 10 most popular physical activities in Warrnambool are:

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