AusLeisure

The Federal Coalition has made an election commitment to contribute $5 million to a White Water Park proposed for the Champion Lakes Regatta Centre in Western Australia.

Canning MHR Don Randall has pledged $5 million towards the project if the Coalition wins the Federal election, matching an existing commitment from the Western Australian Government of $5 million. The remainder of the funds for the $15 million project will be sourced from private investment.

White Water Park Committee Director Colin Thorpe said the news was "absolutely wonderful" for Armadale as it almost guaranteed the park would open as hoped in 2012/2013.

Thorpe said the park would offer boogie-boarding, white-water rafting and paddling and attract international championships while also attracting a big tourist market and offering a space for year-round Avon Descent training.

Randall said the pledge to Canoeing WA would enable 500 metres of artificial rapids to be built near the Champion Lakes Regatta Course, stating "the White Water Park is a major coup for the local area.

"It puts the City of Armadale on the map with the only rapids facility in Perth and the second of its kind in Australia."

Randall congratulated Canoeing WA, Friends of the White Water Park, the City of Armadale and the Armadale Redevelopment Authority (ARA) on their commitment to bring the park to Champion Lakes.

The Champion Lakes Regatta Centre is the only international standard purpose built rowing, dragon boating and kayaking facility in WA and one of only two in Australia. It has been built to a standard to cater to international competition in these water sports and can also host triathlon, open water swimming and cycling.

The facility is open to the public and is a major recreational park for residents of the Perth's south east metropolitan area.

The site comprises 135 hectares which incorporates 26 hectares for residential development, 15 hectares for a commercial precinct (including the planned White Water Park) plus a 55 hectares lake including a 2,000 metre long buoyed course for rowing, kayaking and dragon boating.

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