WITH the Commonwealth Games less than three years away, major works to expand Ballarat\u2019s sports facilities are on the way.<\/p>\n
Announced on Tuesday, a $150 million State Government package is set to pay for a new sports venue in Miners Rest as well as upgrades to Mars Stadium.<\/p>\n
Minister for Commonwealth Games Delivery, Jacinta Allan, said the Miners Rest site was about minimising disruption to local sport during the Games.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to build new sporting facilities that will support the continuation of community sport while we\u2019re making that big investment in Mars Stadium,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
As Mars Stadium is home to North Ballarat FNC, the club will have to move during the Commonwealth Games and Ms Allan said Miners Rest will be their temporary home.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to provide facilities for North Ballarat Football Stadium, and those facilities will be built here at Miners Rest,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The new facility is set to be built on vacant land at the corner of Howe Street and Cummins Road and will include a competition-grade oval, pavilion and changerooms.<\/p>\n
Upgrades to Mars Stadium will include an extra 5000 permanent seats, an athletics track and accessibility improvements.<\/p>\n
An expression of interest went out earlier this week to find a head contractor for the Mars Stadium upgrades.<\/p>\n
City of Ballarat mayor Cr Des Hudson said the Miners Rest venue will provide a much-needed facility for Ballarat\u2019s west.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter the [Comm Games] athletes are gone, this becomes a permanent legacy,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt Miners Rest, it\u2019s a very family-friendly environment. Putting in essential sporting infrastructure is really important to give the community a sense of place and belonging.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
WITH the Commonwealth Games less than three years away, major works to expand Ballarat\u2019s sports facilities are on the way. Announced on Tuesday, a $150 million State Government package is set to pay for a new sports venue in Miners Rest as well as upgrades to Mars Stadium. Minister for Commonwealth Games Delivery, Jacinta Allan, […]<\/p>\n