While the funding for North Park was initially announced earlier in the year, the funding for Lord Nelson Park was announced by Resources Minister Tim Pallas on Monday at the facility, and stated the benefits of the loan to the park.

“The upgraded facilities are going to support what I think will be massively increased female participation, better facilities so they can connect with sport, better change rooms, as well as providing umpiring facilities, accessible amenities and function spaces,” he said.

Mr Pallas said the variety of sports which use the facility increased the need for the upgrade.

“Making sure they’re at a premium level is critically important,” he said.

The loan will be underwritten by the state and means the state takes half the interest rate payments off the council.

“It allows so many councils to just speed up the delivery of services,” Mr Pallas said.

Northern Grampians Shire mayor, Councillor Tony Driscoll said the funding would fix the dire state of the change rooms.

“We’ve got the bones here for a magnificent facility but we’ve got the worst changing facilities in the state so hopefully with your dollars we can actually tidy that up,” he said.

Lord Nelson Park Advisory Committee member Peter Knights said the upgrades will increase the attractiveness of the town. 

“This is a valuable asset to the town and something we’re very proud of, but as we try and maintain the live-ability of our area and attract people to our area it’s incredibly vital the facilities are pushing our sport along and  keeping our community healthy and active and together,” he said.

Mr Pallas used the opportunity to make an election pledge as well. 

“If re-elected, an Andrews Labor government will contribute a further $700,000 towards the completion of the Lord Nelson Park project,” he said.

Those funds would go towards completing the upgrades begun with the loan funding.