The City of Ballarat has announced a $500,000 grant from the Victorian State government, continuing the blitz of funding for new projects all over Victoria. The money will go towards a $3.25 million project to build a new pavilion at the Victoria Park Soccer Club’s Military Drive ground.
The pavilion will include home and away female changing rooms and facilities including a kitchen and canteen, referee rooms, publicly accessible toilets, and seating for spectators. The project is expected to begin later this year, to be completed by mid-2022.
The grant was awarded through the Victorian Government’s World Game Facilities Fund and follows several other projects being announced and funded, including further developments to Olympic Park and a host of upgrades to community club’s grounds. The focus on facilities for women’s sport continues with this project.
There has already been resurfacing, irrigation, and drainage work completed at the ground, which will soon have a lighting project begin in the coming months that has been fully funded by the Ballarat City Council. The total cost of the works is expected to be $1.3 million.
Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison said the project would allow better access to faculties for players in the region and facilitate the growth of the club.
“As we know from similar projects across Ballarat, upgraded facilities make it much easier for our community clubs to attract and retain players, and female-friendly facilities help to level the playing field when comes to participation in sport,” she said.
“I’m confident this project, with the support of $500,000 from the Victorian Government, will help make that happen here too.”
The City of Ballarat Mayor praised the support from the Daniel Andrews Government, hailed as essential for ensuring the project was both viable and successful.
“We’re really grateful for the state’s support of this important project. Soccer is one of our strongest participation sports and Victoria Park is at the gateway to our fast-growing western suburbs, so this upgrade will have a significant impact for hundreds of players at senior and junior levels,” Cr Moloney said.
“This supports the $1.3 million resurfacing and lighting works completed and underway at the facility, which together will enhance the status of Victoria Park as one of city’s most important community spaces.”
More projects and upgrades are expected to be announced from the World Game Facilities Fund in the coming weeks and months.
