INDOOR sports in Torquay were not the only beneficiaries of the state government\u2019s early reveal of projects to be funded by the coming 2018\/19 budget.<\/p>\n
As well as the $3 million for the expansion of the stadium at Surf Coast Secondary College, Friday\u2019s announcements by Premier Daniel Andrews also included $1.17 million to upgrade the main pavilion, change rooms, oval amenities and netball amenities for the St Mary’s Football and Netball Club, $860,000 for upgrades to facilities and courts at Ocean Grove Tennis Club, and $564,000 for South Barwon Football and Netball Club to upgrade change rooms and spectator facilities.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know the great people of Geelong and the Surf Coast love their sport \u2013 so whether you\u2019re a fan, a player or both \u2013 this package of support will give local clubs and players the facilities they need to grow and prosper,\u201d Mr Andrews said.<\/p>\n
The 2018\/19 budget will invest $241.6 million in community sport, including more than $100 million to improve facilities and access for women.<\/p>\n
It will provide $241.6 million to upgrade facilities at suburban grounds, local clubs and high-performance centres across the state, as well as $60 million for community sporting grants and $5 million for Community Sports Infrastructure Loans, which will unlock up to $100 million to upgrade local facilities.<\/p>\n
Sports Minister John Eren said the state government was delivering \u201cthe biggest investment in community sport in Victoria\u2019s history\u201d by \u201cupgrading local grounds, change rooms and pavilions so everyone has the facilities they need to play and watch the sport they love\u201d.<\/p>\n
Labor candidate for Corangamite Libby Coker welcomed the announcements.<\/p>\n
\u201cLabor is about backing Geelong and the Surf Coast \u2013 fostering the grassroots clubs in our region will ensure everyone will have the opportunity to get involved and of course show the rest of the country just how great we are on the court,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis funding has been badly needed by this growing community; I\u2019m so glad that the state government has recognised just how important our region is.\u201d<\/p>\n
There are also extensions of the agreements that the Melbourne Victory and the Victorian Open presently have with Geelong, with the Victory to play one game a season in Geelong until 2021 and the golf tournament to remain at 13th Beach Golf Links until 2022.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
INDOOR sports in Torquay were not the only beneficiaries of the state government\u2019s early reveal of projects to be funded by the coming 2018\/19 budget. As well as the $3 million for the expansion of the stadium at Surf Coast Secondary College, Friday\u2019s announcements by Premier Daniel Andrews also included $1.17 million to upgrade the […]<\/p>\n