Mr Brumby said the funding would not only be a boost for players, coaches and supporters of nine Victorian clubs, with local communities to also benefit through access to facilities at the former AFL venues.
“The funding will also allow our Victorian clubs to be as competitive as possible in the national competition, where interstate clubs have historically had better training and administrative facilities.”
The announcement follows the Minister for Sport and Recreation, James Merlino’s announcement last Tuesday of $3.45 million from the Brumby Government for
St Kilda Football Club’s proposed new base in Frankston, with the local community set to reap the benefits.
Mr Brumby yesterday said the Victorian AFL Club Facilities Funding Program would allow for a range of facilities to be developed for use by the community, including meeting and function rooms, change-rooms for local sports, aquatic facilities, water saving initiatives, community gyms and indoor netball and basketball courts.
“It will ensure that these grounds, which have been local icons for many years, continue to retain their status and value rather than falling into disrepair,” Mr Brumby said.
Funding for the expanded Victorian AFL Club Facilities Funding Program includes:
• $2.5 million to support development of a new indoor facility, ground improvements and drought-proofing at Punt Road Oval;
• $2 million for completion of new football department facility at Arden Street;
• $1.5 million for ground reconfiguration at Windy Hill;
• $1 million to assist Melbourne Football Club with relocation to Rectangular Stadium;
• $1 million to support the redevelopment of MC Labour Park;
• $1 million for new water recycling technology at Waverley Park;
• $0.5 million for multi-court community indoor sports facility at Whitten Oval;
• $0.5 million to improve training facilities at the Lexus Centre supporting Collingwood Football Club’s relationship with the Melbourne Vixens netball team; and
• $0.5 million to help St Kilda open up Moorabbin Reserve facilities for community access.
Minister for Sport and Recreation, James Merlino, said the funding boost was in addition to more than $23 million from the Government in the past two years for Victorian AFL clubs to improve grounds and facilities.
“This builds on the Brumby Government’s commitment to sport at all levels, with the funding boost to assist local community sporting clubs as well as elite AFL clubs,” Mr Merlino said.
AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou welcomed the new funding for clubs and said it would play a major part in preserving Victoria’s historic suburban football grounds.
“The funding reflects the Victorian Government’s strong commitment to football and the long standing relationship between the Government and the AFL.”
