How Geelong sports clubs will spend $7m cash splash

Four sports clubs in the Geelong region will share a combined $7.35m to rebuild and upgrade facilities if the Coalition wins government at the November election.

Four sports clubs in the Geelong region will share a combined $7.35m to rebuild and upgrade facilities if the Coalition wins government at the November election.

The Coalition has promised to spend $1.8m at Burdoo Recreation Reserve, Grovedale; $1.8m at McDonald Reserve, Belmont; $3m at Wallington Recreation Reserve and $750,000 at Queens Park, Highton to upgrade changerooms and other facilities.

The Burdoo Recreation Reserve upgrade will include new netball courts, shelters and lighting, improved netball changerooms, an undercover viewing area, redeveloped turf and synthetic cricket practice nets, a new scoreboard and goal nets, and resurfacing of two tennis courts.

Opposition sport spokeswoman Cindy McLeish said the Liberals and Nationals wanted to better meet community need.

“All of the clubs at Burdoo Recreation Reserve are seeing continued growth and this massive investment will cater for existing members and ensure the future-proofing of facilities,” Ms McLeish said.

“Local sporting clubs are a vital part of the community and the Liberals and Nationals are proud to support grassroots sport with this commitment.”

South Barwon Liberal candidate Andrew Katos said the upgrade would open up more opportunities for women and girls to engage in community sport. “With the rapid growth in population in Grovedale and Armstrong Creek, this funding will allow local grassroots sporting clubs to continue to expand and provide space for more players,” Mr Katos said.

The McDonald Reserve upgrade will add two female changerooms, storage rooms, coaches boxes and a meeting room to the pavilion as well as improve lighting for two ovals and netball courts.

Ms McLeish said the commitment would go a long way towards meeting the needs of the growing South Barwon community.

Mr Katos said: “South Barwon FNC has a strong community focus and these important upgrades will allow players to achieve their best and strengthen ties with the broader community.”

Changerooms for women at Queens Park, the home of Geelong Amateur Football & Netball Club, will be built via the Coalition’s $750,000 commitment. The upgrade will allow for two teams to change and prepare for training and games at the same time, and deliver a new umpires room and storage space.

Mr Katos said it wasn’t acceptable women and girls did not have adequate changeroom facilities at Queens Park.

“We want to see more women and girls participating in football with decent amenities. That is why the Liberals and Nationals are committing $750,000 to fund this important facility,” he said.

Liberal Bellarine candidate Donnie Grigau said the Wallington Recreation Reserve upgrade would benefit the Wallington Cricket Club and the Bellarine Bears Baseball Club.

Originally published as How Geelong sports clubs will spend $7m cash splash