Phase 3 — 2028–2029
A Permanent Home
3–4 purpose-built courts, government-funded, council-partnered. Squash becomes sustainable infrastructure.
What Phase 3 Delivers
Phase 3 transforms temporary operations into permanent infrastructure. A purpose-built facility, government-backed, designed to last for decades. This is where Port Macquarie squash becomes a regional asset.
● 3–4 Purpose-Built Courts
A permanent facility designed specifically for squash, with amenities and infrastructure for elite training and competitions.
● Self-Sustaining Operations
Revenue fully covers running costs, with government grants and sponsorship providing capital funding for the build.
● National Blueprint
Port Macquarie becomes a replicable model for any regional community wanting to build or restore a squash facility.
● Elite Development Pathway
Structured junior and senior coaching programs, competition pathways, and ties to state and national squash bodies.
The Funding Shift
Phases 1 and 2 are built on community spirit, sponsorship, and member contributions. Phase 3 marks a strategic shift: government grants become the cornerstone of capital funding.
By demonstrating a proven track record—two years of sustainable operations, growing membership, and community impact—we position Port Macquarie Squash as a credible candidate for ClubGrants, Stronger Country Communities funding, and targeted squash development grants.
Council engagement begins in Phase 1, but Phase 3 is where that relationship yields results: land access, planning approval, and co-funding opportunities for a permanent facility that benefits the entire Port Macquarie community.
Council Engagement & Local Partnership
Port Macquarie-Hastings Councilis a key stakeholder for Phase 3 success. Our engagement strategy begins now—building relationships, understanding council grant opportunities, and positioning the new squash centre as a community asset aligned with council's recreational and health priorities.
Key funding avenues include:
- •ClubGrants: Quarterly rounds for community facility improvements
- •Stronger Country Communities: Regional infrastructure funding
- •Sport Australia / Squash NSW grants: Sport development pathways
Early engagement also secures land options, reduces planning risk, and builds council advocacy for the project. A council that sees the facility as theirs to champion becomes a powerful partner.
Why It Matters
Phase 3 is where vision becomes infrastructure. A permanent home means players no longer plan around temporary leases or venue transitions. Families commit. Junior programs grow. Coaches invest long-term. The facility becomes a permanent anchor in the community.
Government backing transforms the narrative. From a community-run pop-up to an official regional asset. This elevates our credibility with potential members, sponsors, and elite coaches. It signals that Port Macquarie is serious about squash for the long term.
Most importantly, Phase 3 proves the model works. When other regional communities see Port Macquarie's success—a city with no squash facility in 2026 building a purpose-built centre by 2029—they see a blueprint they can replicate. Phase 3 becomes the national proof point.