Henderson announces millions for Torquay sports projects

THE Surf Coast sporting community is the big winner from the latest round of the federal government’s Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF), with two Torquay projects to share in nearly $5.5 million in grants.

Corangamite federal member Sarah Henderson visited Banyul-Warri Fields in Torquay North on Monday afternoon to announce a $5 million grant towards the $12.75 million cost of three multi-purpose indoor courts (next to the existing stadium) and a $360,500 grant towards the $721,000 cost of building a third soccer pitch and associated lighting in the precinct.

The Surf Coast Shire says both projects are expected to begin construction within this financial year and likely by early 2019.

User groups of the existing stadium and soccer pitches were delighted with the news.

Surfcoast Basketball Association president Nicole Crammond said the funds were now there to build a complex capable of not only catering to the growing community but also attracting regional events.

“In particular, we are so incredibly grateful to now know we will have social rooms, a show court and much-needed meeting spaces and admin areas for our association and clubs – up until now we’ve been one of the Surf Coast’s largest sporting groups with no home. Thanks to the funding from Ms Henderson, we now have a home.”

In total, the Geelong region will receive more than $7.3 million from the BBRF’s Infrastructure stream, including renovating and offering more programs at Cottage by the Sea in Queenscliff ($1.5 million for the $3 million project), making the Apollo Bay Aquatic Centre an indoor pool ($180,000 for the $400,150 project) and building light towers at King Lloyd Reserve ($269,000 for the $299,000 project).

Ms Henderson congratulated all of the stakeholders involved in the projects, particularly the three new indoor courts.

“It was a wonderful application; it really tapped into a great need in the community,” she said.