Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct field of dreams closer after $5.6m Daniel Andrews pledge
A 12-YEAR campaign for expanded sporting ovals in New Gisborne is closer than ever after a game-changing announcement last week.
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NEW Gisborne now has a sporting chance after Premier Daniel Andrews visited last Friday and said millions of dollars were on the way.
The hasty gathering saw the Premier confirm a $5.6 million commitment to the Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct in front of dozens of junior sportspeople and their parents.
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The money would build stage one of the project — two outdoor ovals on the corner of Barringo and Hamilton roads.
Mr Andrews, speaking at the Macedon Ranges Regional Netball Centre, said he had been made aware of the current constraints at Gisborne’s two ovals by Macedon state Labor MP Mary-Anne Thomas.
“It’s my understanding there are about 20 AFL football teams and 30 cricket teams confined to Gardiner and Sankey reserves, which while good facilities are clearly crowded and full,” he said.
“If we are re-elected, we will provide every dollar asked of us for this project ($5.6 million).”
Macedon Ranges Mayor Jennifer Anderson said the project would bring benefits to virtually every resident in the shire.
“Everyone knows how hard the community has worked on this,” she said. “It has so many benefits beyond sport, with the multiuse aspect, the cycle paths, other passive recreation opportunities and with the growth in Gisborne it will be really valuable.”
Macedon Ranges Council has bought the land and earlier this year helped form the precinct concept which brought two community groups, for ovals and indoor sports respectively, together.
Gisborne Masters football player Jason Chuck told the Leader the pledge was a landmark day in a campaign which has been led by the community for 12 years.
Tamara Collins, who has been among a group involved in a push for indoor courts, said the announcement was hopefully the first of many.
The full cost of the precinct is estimated at $41.4 million.
In May AFL Victoria committed $100,000 to the project, but missed out in almost $4 million of potential funds in the Building Better Regions Fund in July.
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