Greater Shepparton City Council has made its pitch for $25 million of Federal Government funding for the rebuild of the Shepparton Sports and Events Centre on Numurkah Rd, Shepparton.
Federal Sports Minister Richard Colbeck toured the facility, which was built in 1972 and extended in 1994, on Wednesday, March 16.
The project, which would include six indoor courts, expanded change room, administration space and an indoor area capable of holding expos and conventions, would cost more than $60 million.
The Federal Government would chip in nearly half of the funding, with council applying for another $20 million from the Victorian Government and stumping up $15 million of its own cash.
Mr Colbeck didn’t confirm if the funding would come in either this year’s budget or as an election promise ahead of a hotly contested battle for Nicholls, but said he was impressed by the “ambitious” plan for the sporting precinct.
"You’ve got the whole precinct that’s being invested in over a period of time, (Rumbalara) footy club next door and their engagement with Indigenous communities, but also the broader breadth of communities that are getting involved,’’ he said.
Mr Colbeck said there were good opportunities for investment in sport ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games and 2032 Olympics, and he said he would co-ordinate with the Victorian Government on funding over the next few years.
City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Kim O’Keeffe said it was exciting to have the minister in Shepparton and the proposal being given serious consideration was good for the city.
“This is the entrance into sports city and turning it into an event hall as well as a sports facility is really exciting for us as well, as we don’t have any indoor spaces which can hold 3000 people,” Cr O’Keeffe said.
“I think it’s a really good opportunity, because we know and the government knows that that investment will continue to be used across these regions.
"Mr Colbeck talked about people across our region who depend on these events coming to our region and we know that we can do it even bigger and better, and to continue to have that we need to have fit-for-purpose facilities to get that opportunity.’’
She said discussions about the Commonwealth Games were ongoing and there would be opportunities for the city longer term.