The Premier John Brumby today announced a $2 million Victorian Government investment to build a new indoor basketball and netball centre, the first community owned centre of its kind in Glen Eira’s history.
At McKinnon Secondary College today, Mr Brumby said the Government would provide $2 million to drive construction of a three-court indoor basketball and netball centre as part of a major multimillion dollar redevelopment of the Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre.
He said the Government funding would mean when construction of the new sports and aquatic centre was completed, Glen Eira communities would also have access to new indoor basketball and netball facilities, which were until now not funded as part of the redevelopment.
“The sports and aquatic centre project will generate 132 new full-time construction jobs and when operational, 40 full-time jobs at the centre.”
The funding builds on a previous Victorian Government grant of $2.5 million towards the Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre redevelopment, bringing to $4.5 million the Government’s commitment to the project.
“We understand how much Victorian families love their sport and local sports facilities and the new centre will help to ensure communities in this growing region are strong, happy, healthy and active,” Mr Brumby said.
“Liveability is crucial to the prosperity of our suburbs. That’s why our Government is delighted to support this important project which will ensure the growing number of families have access to the very best sport and recreation facilities in the future.
“During construction, the sports and aquatic centre project will generate 132 new full-time construction jobs and when operational, 40 full-time jobs at the centre. This will deliver major economic and social benefits to the area.
“I congratulate everyone involved in getting this vital project off the ground, especially the Member for Bentleigh Rob Hudson, who has been committed to seeing new indoor basketball and netball facilities built as part of the sports and aquatic centre redevelopment.”
The Premier and Mr Hudson today visited McKinnon Secondary College, one of many local schools that will benefit from the new Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre.
The $41 million redevelopment is the largest community infrastructure project in the history of Glen Eira and will be completed in 2011.
It involves construction of a new 50-metre outdoor pool, three indoor pools including a 25-metre pool, waterslide, gym, crèche, wellness centre, consulting rooms and the three-court multiuse sports stadium. It replaces an outdated and leaking outdoor pool.
Mr Hudson welcomed the Brumby Labor Government’s $2 million investment and said it would make Glen Eira and even more attractive place to live, work and raise a family.
“The funding boost will help lift the centre into a first-class facility that families living and working in the Glen Eira area can be proud of,” Mr Hudson said.
“The area has been very much in need of a new indoor multipurpose stadium to cater for the huge growth we are seeing in the number of children and young people taking up basketball and netball. This facility will provide the high quality facilities families in the area deserve and ensure involvement by local children in the sports continues to grow.
“This project has been driven by the community and is a great example of what can be achieved through partnerships between communities and local, state and federal governments. The completion of this project will be an exciting time for the community.”
Mr Hudson praised the Glen Eira City Council for its generous commitment of $26.5 million to the development and the Rudd Government for its $10 million contribution.