State Government, council combine to fund sports infrastructure package

Three key sports infrastructure projects will roll out this year thanks to joint funding by Maribyrnong Council and the State Government.

Footscray Rugby Union Club president Thomas Gulliver is excited a new pavilion will get built at Henry Turner Oval. Picture: Mark Dadswell.

FOOTSCRAY community sports are the winners with three key projects to start this year.

A rebuild of the Henry Turner Reserve south pavilion, new mountain bike facilities at Quarry Park and new floodlighting for Footscray West’s Johnson reserve will be jointly funded by Maribyrnong Council and the State Government.

The $3.75 million Henry Turner Reserve south pavilion rebuild will make it the first regional facility across western Melbourne to meet premier gridiron, rugby and cricket competition standards.

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It will feature female-friendly facilities and incorporate four change rooms, a generous social space and numerous equipment storage areas.

The council will pay for the majority of the works, with the Government kicking in $514,000.

Regular tenants Footscray Rugby Union Club, Western Crusaders Gridiron Club, and the Footscray Edgewater Cricket Club as well as other local sporting organisations are set to benefit from the upgrade.

Footscray Rugby Union Club president Thomas Gulliver said the upgrade will be a boost for his club which is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year.

“It will allow us to grow by encouraging more people to join which in turn will raise awareness of the sport in Melbourne,” Mr Gulliver said.

“The facilities will also attract professional teams such as Melbourne Rebels which is a chance of playing pre-season games here.”

The other projects to receive state government funding include new mountain bike facilities at Quarry Park and new floodlighting for Footscray West’s Johnson reserve.

Footscray state Labor MP Marsha Thomson said the upgrades would cater for the growing number of people keen to get involved in sport.

“We’re working hard to give more locals in Footscray the opportunity to play the sports they love, and embrace a more active and healthy lifestyle,” she said.

Maribyrnong Mayor Cuc Lam said the redevelopments will ensure everyone in the community has the opportunity to improve their health and wellbeing through physical activity.

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