The centrepiece is a commitment of $20million towards building a new aquatic and recreation centre for Gungahlin, which was announced last month.

The centre will have several pools, court space and amenities such as a cafe and gymnasium.

A pledge of $3million was also made to develop a basketball centre for excellence, which is to include a stadium and player amenities for the Canberra Capitals, Gunners and club basketball teams and $8.5million to redevelop the ACT Tennis Centre at Lyneham Sports Precinct.

An investment of $2.5million would also help establish Canberra's A-League football team, $2million to redevelop the Kippax Fields used by AFL club Belconnen Magpies, $1million for improvements to Griffith Oval and $670,000 to upgrade and expand the Woden Gymnastics club.

ACT Tourism, Sport and Recreation Minister Andrew Barr said the funds covered a range of sporting codes and levels, from grassroots local sporting teams to elite athletes.

Basketball Canberra chief executive Mark Cartwright said his organisation was ''very supportive'' of the announcement with Canberra in urgent need of more court space.

Gungahlin Community Council president Alan Kerlin said the community, while pleased by the proposed and much-needed aquatic centre, was seeking a commitment to the project from all parties and a proposed time frame.

Shadow Sport Minister Brendan Smyth would not provide a commitment or time frame to the project yesterday, saying the policy would come in ''due course''. ''But the people of Gungahlin will not be disappointed by what we have to say,'' he said.

Encouraging and fostering children in sport was also identified as a key focus for the Government and $800,000 was allocated to help children get active through the SmartStart program. An additional $300,000 was set aside to support the Children's Physical Activity Foundation and $225,000 over four years to give 15 young Canberrans the opportunity to complete an apprenticeship in the sport and recreation industry each year.