Sporting facility upgrades are scoring goals for Ararat

The Ararat Eagles and Ararat Rats football netball clubs, basketball players and climbers are just some of the locals set to benefit from the completion of new and upgraded sporting facilities.

Danielle Green MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Sport and Regional Victoria visited Ararat to officially open the Alexandra Oval redevelopment, plus new sports facilities in the Ararat Active Corridor.

Deputy Mayor, Cr Peter Beales joined Ms Green and local club members at Alexandra Oval to celebrate the completion of the sporting precinct’s new netball courts, refurbished grandstand and event space.

Projects at the Ararat Active Corridor have also been completed with people now able to enjoy a new half court designed for basketball, netball and tennis, as well as a bouldering wall.

“The two new competition netball courts, with scorers' box, team benches and lighting are world-class,” Cr Beales said.

“Alexandra Oval already has a reputation as the home of sport in Ararat. With these fantastic new playing facilities, multi-purpose room and the restoration of the historic Olver grandstand, it’s now even better.

“Today we also celebrate the completion of the Alexandra Avenue precinct, with the new half-court, bouldering wall and paths, complementing the skate park and off-leash dog park.

“This has transformed the entire corridor, completing a seamless connection from Queen Street, through the Alexandra Gardens and to Alexandra Oval.

“We want to create safe and inclusive spaces especially for women, girls and young people to get outdoors and play the sports they enjoy.

“Thank you to the Victorian Government for partnering with Council and the community to fund these projects.

“After all of the hard work by the community who ran the cake stalls and the clubs who made donations, I know we have something really special here that we can all be proud of.”

Over $2.3 million has been invested by the Victorian Government and Council towards the Alexandra Oval redevelopment and the Ararat Active Link Stage 2 project.

This includes $1 million from the Victorian Government’s Female Friendly Facilities Fund and the Regional Infrastructure Fund for the Alexandra Oval redevelopment and $250,000 from the Community Sports Infrastructure Fund – Minor Facilities Fund for the Ararat Active Link Stage 2 project.