Golden Plains Shire Council welcomes the Victorian Government’s funding announcement of $1.52 million towards the Inverleigh Change Room Upgrade project.
The $1,777,000 upgrade of Inverleigh Sporting Complex will deliver two new female friendly/unisex change rooms and umpire change rooms with supporting amenities, including first aid and storage spaces. Two existing change rooms will also be refurbished and a new septic system installed as part of this extensive project.
Home to the Inverleigh Football and Netball Club (the Hawks) and the Inverleigh Cricket Club (the Kookaburras), the new and refurbished change rooms will support greater participation in sport and active recreation in Inverleigh. Players from visiting local teams will also enjoy the upgraded facilities at the Inverleigh Sporting Complex.
Council has contributed $177,700 to the Inverleigh Change Room project, funding allocated to the Shire under the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program. The Inverleigh Sporting Complex Committee of Management and the Inverleigh Football and Netball Club also contributed $72,000 to the project.
The Victorian Government’s $1,527,300 funding comes from its Community Sport Infrastructure Stimulus Program, following the successful grant application from Council. Across the state, the Stimulus Program will invest $68 million to build and upgrade community sports facilities, supporting local sporting clubs, creating jobs and boosting the economy as part of Victoria’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey welcomed the significant funding announcement from the Victorian Government and said Council is looking forward to delivering this great project for the Inverleigh community.
“The new female friendly and refurbished change rooms will be a fantastic addition to the Inverleigh Sporting Complex and we welcome the Victorian Government’s $1.52 million commitment to make this plan a reality. With $72,000 from the Inverleigh community clubs and Council’s contribution of $177,700 from Federal Government funds, the new change rooms are truly a partnership project.
“We are all missing our community sport during the COVID pandemic and so it will be great to get moving on this project, with the knowledge that when the Inverleigh Football and Netball Club get back to the field and courts, and the Inverleigh Cricket Club get back to the pitch, the local and visiting players will have brand new and renovated change rooms for training and game days.
“The new change rooms join an impressive list of works that have been completed at the Inverleigh Sporting Complex in the past few years including the brand new netball court that’s completed and ready for the 2021 netball season, the oval lighting upgrade and new cricket nets. With the social room upgrade also promised by the Federal Government during last year’s election, recent investment in the Inverleigh Reserve will top $3 million, which is a wonderful outcome for the people of Inverleigh.”
In a media release on 13 August, Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney announced the successful grant.
“I’m really pleased to announce this important funding for the mighty Hawks – it’s not only an investment in the future of the club, but also for the community who use it,” she said.
“This investment will support the local economy and create jobs – and support the growing number of people in Inverleigh keen to get involved in sport and recreation.”