One of the proposed designs for Alexandra Oval.
ARARAT - Ararat's sporting community is celebrating following yesterday's announcement of a $1.15 million funding boost to develop the new multi-purpose pavilion at the Alexandra Oval Community and Recreation Centre.
In Ararat yesterday, Minister for Sport and Recreation Hugh Delahunty said the funding was part of a Victorian Coalition Government facility funding package for the popular sporting precinct.
"A key objective of the Coalition Government is to build healthy and active communities," Mr Delahunty said.
"To achieve this goal, we need quality community facilities that encourage local people to play the sports they love for many years to come."
"I'm proud to say the Coalition Government's funding package is made up of $650,000 from the Community Facility Funding Program - Major Facilities category and a further $500,000 from the $1 billion Regional Growth Fund's, Putting Locals First Program," Mr Delahunty said.
Mr Delahunty said the project would replace the existing outdated change-rooms with bigger and better change-room facilities catering for football, cricket, netball, umpires and match-day requirements.
"It will also involve construction of a multi-purpose community space, meeting room, function space, commercial kitchen, canteen, first aid room and public amenities," Mr Delahunty said.
"The new multi-purpose pavilion will provide much improved sports facilities for local cricket, football, netball, tennis and an accessible community space that can be hired by the broader Ararat community.
"Our investment in this project is part of our plan to build more sustainable local venues that make a difference to local people," Mr Delahunty said.
"I congratulate the Ararat Rural City Council for developing the project and their investment of $2 million, as well as the Ararat Community Enterprise for their contribution of $100,000 and the Alexandra Oval Reserve Committee of Management for their contribution of $70,000.
"This investment is just one of the ways we are delivering on the Coalition Government's strategy to grow the economy, build infrastructure and contribute to the health and wellbeing of the State.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan said Putting Locals First was devised to support improvement projects that reflected local priorities.
"By helping local communities take action on their own behalf we can help them improve local infrastructure and contribute to a better quality of life for regional Victoria," Mr Ryan said.
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