City of Melbourne budget kicks in $30m for upgrades to grassroots sporting facilities

City of Melbourne has kicked in $30m from its coming budget to upgrade grassroots facilities and help drive participation in local sport.

Melbourne University Rugby coach Junior Faatoese, with Imogen Cowan and Olivia Faneco, have benefited from upgrades to their training facility. Picture: Tony Gough

Grassroots sporting clubs will get a $30m free kick to upgrade facilities and address a shortfall in playing fields in the City of Melbourne’s coming budget.

Tuesday’s draft council budget for 2024-25 will include a pledge to deliver key community sporting infrastructure to meet Melbourne’s growing population.

Under the move, the council will design and deliver new grassroots sporting facilities as well as set aside funding to revamp existing infrastructure.

It comes after the council found Melbourne faces a shortfall in the number of indoor sports stadiums, playing fields, outdoor multipurpose courts and aquatic and recreation facilities to meet predicted future demand.

The historic Melbourne City Baths, which recently hosted a runway for Melbourne Fashion Week, will get an upgrade. Picture : Ian Currie

Funding proposed includes $4.2m to redevelop Ryder Pavilion at Royal Park, expanding the facility to feature six gender neutral accessible change rooms, umpire change areas, kitchen and social spaces.

A further $1.7m would be spent on planning and design works for a new North Melbourne Community Centre.

The historic Melbourne City Baths are set to be redeveloped, with $350,000 invested towards design and future redevelopment.

And $23m will be spent to complete the Kensington Community Aquatic and Recreation Centre, including a new 25m pool, three full-sized multipurpose courts and gym facilities.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said: “We’re making sure our proud grassroots sports clubs have the strongest home advantage, while removing the barriers facing women and girls getting into community sport.”

Another $150,000 will be committed for planning a ­revamp of Melbourne’s Edmund Herring Oval precinct.

Melbourne Mayor Sally Capp said the upgrades to grassroot facilities would help get more girls into community sport. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

It is estimated at least 14 indoor sports courts are needed in Melbourne’s inner city, as well as more than 10 ovals, tennis courts and outdoor netball courts.

Melbourne’s municipal population is set to increase by almost 80 per cent, from about 183,000 to more than 320,000 residents by 2040.

The biggest growth is expected in Carlton, which is tipped to increase by 75 per cent from 22,000 to 39,000 residents by 2040.

Big population surges are also tipped for the CBD, Southbank and North Melbourne.

University of Melbourne women’s rugby coach Junior Faaoese said there had been an influx in female participation since facilities were upgraded at Brens Pavilion in Parkville last year.

“It has created an environment that is safe for them, to come to their own change rooms and have their own space,” he said. “Visiting teams love the facilities too.”

Council spokesman Jamal Hakim said: “Sporting clubs are the lifeblood of communities. With participation rates on the rise, every player ­deserves equal access to facilities so they can thrive on and off the field.”