Community Sport Minister Ros Spence announces $250m Comm Games sports package for Geelong region

A long-awaited announcement on sporting infrastructure for the region has finally landed, but it will be a while before any balls are bounced at two promised stadiums in Geelong’s fast-growing south.

Render of the Armstrong Creek high ball stadium that has been allocated both state and federal funding.

Ten indoor sports courts will be built in Geelong’s fast-growing south, while the region’s hockey community has been given a major boost with a new pitch at Torquay.

Victorian Community Sport Minister Ros Spence visited Stead Park in Corio on Tuesday to confirm the state government’s commitment to deliver sporting infrastructure promised to the region after it sensationally abandoned its 2026 Commonwealth Games bid in July last year.

A new hockey pitch at Banyul-Warri Fields and co-funding an indoor sports stadium at Armstrong Creek alongside the federal government had not been flagged previously.

The modernisation of Stead Park and an indoor sporting complex at Waurn Ponds were confirmed.

In doing so, an Armstrong Creek aquatics facility that formed part of the government’s original Commonwealth Games package now appears dead in the water.

City Hall had earlier told government it was not prepared to operate the aquatics centre because it was not needed.

Instead it said a regional indoor sports and events centre capable of holding 5000 spectators was required, however the Armstrong Creek and Waurn Ponds stadiums do not meet that criteria.

Ms Spence said the total cost of the four projects was approximately $250m, although she did not give a breakdown.

“Over the coming months, as we develop further, those figures will become more solid … we know the overall (figure),” she said.

The timeline also remains unclear, other than the Banyul-Warri project that is expected to commence later this year.

Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin.

“I’d like to see them all completed by 2026,” Ms Spence said.

“We will obviously keep the community updated as to what those milestones are as we move forward.”

Ms Spence said she “presumed” the Armstrong Creek stadium would be near the town centre and the Waurn Ponds complex adjacent to the train station.

A number of politicians were in attendance, including state MPs Christine Couzens and Ella George, as well as Corangamite MP Libby Coker.

South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman, whose electorate takes in both stadiums, was not present.

Ms Spence would not say whether Mr Cheeseman, who was recently booted from the Labor party amid allegations of inappopriate behaviour, was invited.

“The member for South Barwon does what the member for South Barwon does,” she said.

“That matter has been dealt with.”

The Armstrong Creek stadium, promised by Ms Coker ahead of the 2022 federal election, will feature four multi-sport courts.

The Waurn Ponds complex will have six courts, a gymnastics facility and dance studio.

Render of the exterior of the Armstrong Creek high ball stadium that has been allocated both state and federal funding.

Geelong Hockey Association’s Graeme Dent said the Stead Park project, including two upgraded pitches and a new pavilion, combined with the Banyul-Warri pitch, was a great outcome for the region’s 600 participants.

“Today is the most significant event in hockey in Geelong in 111 years … allowing us to bring state and national championships right here,” he said.

Committee for Geelong chief executive Michael Johnston said his members would now await clearer timelines for delivery.

“The attention must also move to where the aquatic facility funding is being reallocated, this is not clear,” he said.

“There is an opportunity to deliver on a regional indoor sports and events centre.”

Originally published as Community Sport Minister Ros Spence announces $250m Comm Games sports package for Geelong region