Host of sports clubs celebrate funding wins

LOCAL sports clubs are among the big winners of the City of Greater Geelong’s draft budget, with more than $16 million of upgrades to flow for facility upgrades.

Corio football-netball and cricket clubs are celebrating a $3.3 million windfall for a major revamp of the changerooms to include gender-neutral facilities.

COGG will work with Shell Reserve user groups on detailed designs for the project.

Anakie Football Netball Club also received a budget boost through joint state government and council commitment for a second netball court, worth $300,000.

The new court adds to an earlier commitment from COGG to deliver stage two of the club’s facility upgrade involving new clubrooms, bringing the club’s total windfall to $2.5 million.

The project would be a boon for sporting clubs – including the football-netball club, cricket club and Anakie and Little River Auskick participants – and community groups such as the local primary schools, community house and fire brigade.

“The Anakie Roos are an integral part of this close-knit regional community,” Member for Lara John Eren said.

“They deserve modern and safe facilities they can be proud of.”

Geelong’s athletics centre also has an upgrade in the pipeline for refurbishment and a pavilion upgrade, worth $2.3 million next financial year and $3.5 million in 2023-24.

Other previously announced projects that will progress this year include a $580,000 Barwon Heads Bowling Club pavilion, $350,000 for lighting and female-friendly changerooms at Grinter Reserve, and masterplans for Lara and Portarlington’s recreation reserves.

The projects are on top of significant investment in two community pools in the next year; $50.4 million for the North Aquatic and Community Hub at Norlane and $10.7 million for the North Bellarine Aquatic and Leisure Centre at Drysdale.