It has led to community complaints the City of Albany was doing too little for the sport and getting the next stage of the ALAC redevelopment under way.

ALAC Users Group chairman Tony Stanton said $8 million was promised during the 2008 election campaign.

But the Government refused to include funds for the drainage work required at the waterlogged site.

“The aim is to provide a roof over the four external courts and put in wooden floors,” Mr Stanton said.

“But before any infrastructure can be built, the whole area needs to be prepared.

“The Liberal Party offered $8 million but says it is not to be spent on drainage.”

Mr Stanton said that to have proper drainage in place was important because all the North Road grounds faced problems with waterlogging.

He said the soccer fields often flooded after continual rain, stopping junior games. The same happened around ALAC.

“The original pool at the leisure centre had to be repaired three times because of the rising water level in the area,” Mr Stanton said.

He is now concerned the promised money would be lost to Albany along with $2.9 million Australian Government funds which depended on the State’s support.

The City had been blamed for not pushing ahead with the netball redevelopment, resulting in the loss of major regional events.

But Mr Stanton said local netball had not pushed its case and had not regularly attended User Group meetings until it was too late.

South West MLC Robyn McSweeney said the pre-election promise of $8 million was in Sport and Recreation Department funding for the Centennial Park redevelopment project, catering for two football clubs and new tennis and soccer facilities.

She said the commitment remained.

Ms McSweeney said if the City wanted the funds for ALAC, it would have to submit a strong reason and a business plan case for it to be switched.