Cameron Sporting Complex receives State Government funding

Eastern Victoria MLC Harriet Shing on Thursday announced the funding towards the $8.49 million project from the government’s Better Indoor Stadiums Fund.

The project will help user groups such as the Maffra Basketball Association meet growing demand in the region.

Harriet Shing MLC along with representatives from the Wellington Shire and Latrobe Valley Authority announced $8 million in funding for upgrades and expansion of the Cameron Sporting Complex.

Ms Shing said the State Government will contribute $4 million to the project ($3 million directly from government, $1 million through Latrobe Valley Authority), under Labor’s Community Sports Infrastructure Fund.

The additional funding will be made from the Wellington Shire, while the gymnastics and basketball clubs will inject a further $250,000 into the expansion.

The current proposal will see a revitalisation of the stadium, including two brand new courts (totalling three), and the gymnastic club expanding onto what is now ‘Court 2’. Change room, administration and foyer redevelopments will also be made.

Wellington Shire Council Mayor Carolyn Crossley said the announcement was an exciting one but also a relief to local sporting volunteers who have been making do with facilities that the community had outgrown.

“This funding announcement is the final piece of the puzzle, which means we can now progress with our plans to redevelop the Cameron Sporting Complex Stadium,” Cr Crossley said.

“The facility is currently home to the Maffra basketball and gymnastics clubs that have a combined membership base of more than 1,200 people, both children and adults.

“Both clubs are running at capacity and have considerable waiting lists.

“The project will expand the number of user groups at the facility, such as local volleyball and netball clubs”

Wellington Shire Council has been working hard to attract the final amount of funding needed to ensure the redevelopment goes ahead.

The redevelopment will include:

• Construction of two new sports courts compliant for basketball, netball and volleyball
• Construction of four new competition change rooms and accessible change rooms
• Upgrade of existing public amenities
• Building of a new accessible entry

The redevelopment would be funded through Wellington Shire Council, the State Government and the local basketball and gymnastics communities who have never wavered in their advocacy for the project.

“We thank the Maffra sporting communities for working with us to ensure no-one forgot or overlooked the importance of this project,” Cr Crossley said.

“Wellington Shire Council is committed to healthy lifestyles for our ratepayers and today is an exciting one for us, that we can continue to drive that commitment by providing the very best sporting and recreational facilities for our ratepayers.”

Funding breakdown:

Wellington Shire Council – $4.24 million 

Latrobe Valley Authority – $1 million 

State Government – $3 million 

Maffra Gymnastics Club – $125,000 

Maffra Basketball Association – $125,000