Thursday 25 October 2018

A redevelopment of the Cameron Sporting Complex stadium in Maffra will now progress, thanks to funding through the State Government.

Wellington Shire Council has been working with the Maffra community, local sporting clubs and all levels of government for some time to progress this major project, to meet the growing sporting needs of the Maffra community and surrounding district.

Wellington Shire Council Mayor Carolyn Crossley said today’s announcement was an exciting one but also a relief to local sporting volunteers who have been making do with facilities that the community had outgrown.

“This funding announcement is the final piece of the puzzle, which means we can now progress with our plans to redevelop the Cameron Sporting Complex Stadium,” Cr Crossley said.

“The facility is currently home to the Maffra basketball and gymnastics clubs that have a combined membership base of more than 1,200 people, both children and adults.

“Both clubs are running at capacity and have considerable waiting lists.

“The project will expand the number of user groups at the facility, such as local volleyball and netball clubs”

Wellington Shire Council has been working hard to attract the final amount of funding needed to ensure the redevelopment goes ahead.

The redevelopment will include:

• An increase in the gymnastics floor space to meet Gymnastics Victoria’s regional facilities guidelines

• Construction of two new sports courts compliant for basketball, netball and volleyball

• Construction of four new competition change rooms and accessible change rooms

• Upgrade of existing public amenities

• Building of a new accessible entry

The redevelopment would be funded through Wellington Shire Council, the State Government and the local basketball and gymnastics communities who have never wavered in their advocacy for the project.

“We thank the Maffra sporting communities for working with us to ensure no-one forgot or overlooked the importance of this project,” Cr Crossley said.

“Wellington Shire Council is committed to healthy lifestyles for our ratepayers and today is an exciting one for us, that we can continue to drive that commitment by providing the very best sporting and recreational facilities for our ratepayers.”

Funding breakdown:

Wellington Shire Council $4.24 million

Latrobe Valley Authority $1 million

State Government $3 million

Maffra Gymnastics Club $125,000

Maffra Basketball Assoc $125,000

Photo: Cameron Sporting Complex Committee president Peter Anderson, Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing and Wellington Shire Council Mayor Carolyn Crossley.