Local sports teams have welcomed news that Council will invest $1.5 million in four ovals, to make them more inclusive for women, comfortable, safe and fit-for-purpose.
Council’s bumper draft Budget for 2019-20 includes $800,000 to design upgrades for the Brens, Ryder and Western Oval sporting pavilions in Royal Park. Construction is expected to start in 2021.
A further $750,000 will be spent to upgrade the Northern Sports Pavilion in Fawkner Park.
Deputy Lord Mayor Arron Wood said the works will include upgraded change rooms and umpire facilities, improved lighting, kitchen areas, storage and social club spaces.
‘We have 375 community teams using our sporting facilities each week. This includes 90 teams made up of women and girls, which is phenomenal growth in just a few short years,’ Cr Wood said.
‘We’re investing in women’s and community sport to diversify our facilities to encourage even more women and girls to take marks and hit sixes.’
University High School W Amateur Football Club player Jo Boyce said the women and girls are excited to have upgraded facilities.
‘To hear that our community sports pavilion will have female toilets, showers and change rooms is a dream come true,’ Jo said.
‘Having better facilities means we’ll be able to attract more players to our team and grow even stronger. The young girls of today will have a real pathway into AFLW now.’
The draft Budget also includes $450,000 to help improve food handling at sporting clubs, $360,000 for renewing the Princes Hill tennis courts, and $210,000 for outdoor sports equipment.
The City of Melbourne’s draft budget for 2019–20 is its biggest ever, with investments of $619 million planned, to help make our city more liveable and prosperous as it rapidly grows.
To find out more, visit Budget.
