Work has commenced for two projects at Alexandra Oval in Ararat.
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Two new interchange benches and a large electronic scoreboard will be installed at the oval.
The project is scheduled for completion before the start of the football season.
The interchange benches are funded with $9000 from the federal government’s Stronger Communities Fund and the new scoreboard with $19,600 from Ararat Rural City Council’s Community Grants Program.
The funding for the interchange project was announced in December 2017 and was scheduled to finish for the 2018 season.
Ararat Rural City Council chief executive Tim Harrison said the council acknowledged the delay of the project, which was in part due to consultation between Ararat Football Netball Club and the Ararat Eagles Football Netball Club who used the facility.
“It took longer than anticipated to confirm the location of the interchange benches and we did not want to proceed until the clubs were absolutely comfortable with where they would be installed,” he said.
“We also had to ensure their location was not going to impede the future works planned at the oval.”
Dr Harrison said the interchange benches also required a planning permit, which was obtained, but then had to be amended because the original location of the benches was changed.
Ararat Football Netball Club president Jamie Toner said he was looking forward to the completed projects.
“Both the Ararat Football Netball Club and Ararat Eagles have supplied work ‘in kind’ to help keep the process on the move,” he said.
“This is a huge plus for not only the football clubs, but for the community as well.
“Any upgrades to the facility certainly raise the standard with the potential to attract TAC Cup and potential AFL or VFL practise matches.”
Mr Toner said the potential for attracting high-profile games would not only be good for football, but could mean an economic boost for the region.
“While this is a great outcome for football – it also has the potential to have a large impact on the community,” he said.
“We know the positive benefits other regional towns have had since securing matches such as these.”
Dr Harrison said the old interchange benches were small, very old and in poor condition.
“The new ones are six metres long with room for 10 people,” he said.
Dr Harrison said the new scoreboard measured four metres by three metres and would be installed in the same location as the old scoreboard.
“It has video capabilities and is all controlled over Wifi from a laptop,” he said.
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