Proposed post-Games sports upgrades endorsed

CITY of Greater Bendigo councillors on Monday voted to endorse plans for post-Commonwealth Games improvements at regional sporting facilities.

At their April meeting, councillors supported proposed delivery models to upgrade the Bendigo Stadium, Bendigo Showgrounds, Bendigo Bowls Club and Bendigo Croquet Club facilities with funding through the State Government’s Regional Sports Infrastructure Program.

When it cancelled the 2026 Commonwealth Games, the government committed to continue to deliver some infrastructure upgrades to a number of venues across the state which were to have hosted events.

Under the planned delivery, Development Victoria will oversee the Bendigo Stadium and showgrounds projects, while the city will carry out the bowls and croquet club improvements.

All works will be funded by the government and all are expected to be finished in 2026.

At the showgrounds, the arena will be redeveloped and a new multi-purpose pavilion will be built.

The four entrances and perimeter fencing also will be upgraded.

Bendigo Stadium will receive a new two-court annex, while two existing courts will be upgraded.

Outdoor netball court lighting and car park and accessibility improvements also will be improved.

The bowls and croquet clubs will receive refurbishment of four bowls greens and two croquet courts, clubhouse overhauls, and accessibility and circulation improvements.

At Monday’s meeting, Cr Margaret O’Rourke said she considered the continued commitment to the upgrades “a really good outcome” for Greater Bendigo.

“I think the City of Greater Bendigo will come out of this on top,” Cr Rourke said.