Funding for new sporting facilities

Wodonga Council will upgrade two key sporting facilities in the city following three successful funding applications.

The pavilion at Les Cheesley Oval will be upgraded as part of a $750,000 redevelopment at the site.

Works will including demolishing the old pavilion, removal of the demountable as well as the removal of the old toilet block as part of the female-friendly redevelopment.

Cr Danny Lowe said the funding was part of Wodonga Council's strategic effort to keep renewing sporting facilities.

"It's really good that the state has come to the party to be able to obtain the funding," he said.

"This has been brilliant timing and a great way to stimulate the economy. Every dollar we get will go around our community four times. The builder will use it to buy materials and pay staff wages."

Cr Lowe said the benefits would not just be for Wodonga only.

"The has been a three-year project," he said.

"We have a huge regional catchment so this just for the kids of Wodonga. A lot of kids come from out of town to play as well."

The Victorian Government recently announced $500,000 in funding for the project which is aimed at increasing female participation across both cricket and football.

Wodonga Junior Football Club fielded its first junior female team at the weekend.

The female friendly changeroom is the fourth of its kind across the city after Willow Park, Emerald Oval and Wodonga Athletics Pavilion.

The Federal Government has contributed $200,000 to the project.

Wodonga Cricket Club secretary Peter Willcox said the upgrade of the facilities would help to increase participation rates for both cricket and football.

"These clubrooms were established in the 1970s so they are 50 years old," he said.

"Redeveloping these facilities has been the challenge of the current committee."

Birallee Park will receive a new netball court and sports lighting upgrade after receiving a $250,000 state government grant.

The Australian Government has already provided $300,000 in funding for the court and upgrade with Wodonga Council adding $75,000 from the 2020-21 budget for the $625,000 project.

Wodonga Council has also received $29,000 for Belvoir and Willow Park masterplanning.

The projects have been funded by the Victorian Government's 2020-21 Local Sports Infrastructure Fund.

Works are to due to begin before the end of the year.