AusLeisure

The Victorian Government has announced backing for a range of aquatic, recreation and sport infrastructure in the Latrobe Valley.

The $85 million package will deliver high quality community sporting infrastructure for Gippsland’s many sporting clubs and athletes, and is expected to also create over 500 jobs - 300 jobs during the construction phase and 275 ongoing ones.

The community sporting package includes:

• $46 million for a new Gippsland Regional Aquatic and Leisure Centre in Traralgon
• $17 million to redevelop the Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports and Entertainment Complex in Traralgon
• $4 million to upgrade Morwell Recreation Reserve
• $1.7 million to upgrade the Latrobe Sports and Entertainment Complex in Morwell
• $3 million to upgrade the Ted Summerton Reserve in Moe
• $1.4 million for the Sale and Traralgon Tennis Centres
• $5 million for nine local reserves to be upgraded

The Valley’s visitor economy will also get a welcome boost, with the sporting heroes from Collingwood Football and Netball Clubs, Melbourne Victory, Melbourne Stars, Melbourne United and Swimming Australia set to become regular visitors.

To support this, the Victorian Government will invest $6.9 million over five years to deliver an extensive program of major events and community sporting activities across the Valley. This includes bringing elite sports with regular pre-season games, coaching clinics and community carnivals.

The major clubs will also partner with local community organisations to support the critically important work they do in tackling disadvantage, boosting health outcomes and dealing with issues such as family violence, drug abuse and youth disengagement.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews today joined Minister for Sport and Tourism John Eren, Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing, Collingwood and Melbourne Stars President Eddie McGuire, Melbourne Victory Club Ambassador Archie Thompson and Latrobe Valley community members to make this landmark announcement.

Making the announcement, Premier Andrews stated “people living in the Valley have a fierce pride in their community and these new facilities will bring people together from across our state and help them celebrate what they love.”

AFL Victoria welcomed the commitments to the redevelopment at Moe’s Ted Summerton Reserve and the upgrade at Morwell Recreation Reserve.

AFL Victoria Chief Executive Steven Reaper added “local sporting clubs are the heartbeat of regional communities, so this support by the Victorian Government will provide many benefits to not only the football community, but for all locals that reside in these communities.

“The economic and social benefits that our clubs bring to their communities are proven to be incredibly significant, with Latrobe University finding that each dollar invested in a community football club results in at least a $4.40 return in social benefits to that community.”

AFL Gippsland Region General Manager Travis Switzer said the announcement would bring huge benefits to his region.

Switzer concluded “the facility upgrades are giving more people in the Latrobe Valley access to first-class facilities, and events for sport and recreation, and we congratulate the Victorian Government for their investment and all stakeholders involved in planning for and securing these developments.”

Images: Artist's impressions of the new Gippsland Regional Aquatic and Leisure Centre (top and middle) and the soon-to-be-upgraded Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports and Entertainment Complex (below). 

24th October 2016 - 2016 V/LINE CUP GENERATES AN ESTIMATED $2.6 MILLION IN ECONOMIC BENEFIT 

3rd March 2015 - RESEARCH REVEALS THE SOCIAL VALUE OF A FOOTBALL CLUB

2nd June 2014 - FEDERAL BUDGET CUTS TO IMPACT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEISURE 

2nd November 2011 - NEW COURT SURFACES FOR TRARALGON REGIONAL TENNIS CENTRE 

21st January 2010 - NEW OWNERSHIP FOR LATROBE CITY SOCCER STADIUM

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