MORE detail on the State Government’s $85 million sports and infrastructure package, announced last week, has been outlined by the Latrobe Valley Authority.
LVA interim chief Kylie White confirmed the $17 million for the Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports and Entertainment complex would involve a redevelopment of the Traralgon Basketball Stadium at Catterick Crescent.
The project will include the construction of three new indoor courts to cater for netball, basketball and other high roof sports and a redeveloped show court with retractable seating.
Latrobe City Energy vice president Michael Cleef said the region’s premier basketball players would benefit from the upgrade, particularly at junior level.
“It’s going to help us significantly with the junior program; we’re growing year on year and the more courts at one venue the better for us,” Mr Cleef said.
An indoor cricket centre of excellence, including indoor training facilities, will be installed at Ted Summerton Reserve, which was allocated $3 million.
Latrobe City Sports Stadium has been slated for a synthetic pitch with lighting to support a soccer centre of excellence, along with reconstruction of the back pitches with lighting, as part of a $1.7 million allocation.
The Morwell Recreation Reserve master plan will receive a $4 million kick along to extend the AFL administration hub, develop a synthetic oval to support the AFL Centre of Excellence, upgrade lighting and construct new amenities to support female participation.
Perimeter fencing and court resurfacing at Traralgon Tennis Association will take place as part of a $1.4 million package for Sale and Traralgon tennis.
Ms White said the big ticket item on the funding list, a $46 million Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre for Traralgon, would feature a 50 metre indoor pool with spectator seating, complemented by a mix of interactive toddler, health and program pools.
Five million dollars was set aside to modernise nine other sporting reserves across the region’s three shires.
Traralgon Recreation Reserve; Glengarry Recreation Reserve; Ronald Reserve, Morwell; Cowwar Recreation Reserve; Gormandale Recreational Reserve; Heyfield Recreational Reserve; Monash Reserve, Newborough; Peter Siddle Oval, Morwell; and Willow Grove Recreation Reserve were the facilities chosen for upgrade.
