The Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester today officially opened new sports facilities worth $2.7 million in Morwell.
A new $1.6 million shared netball and cricket pavilion overlooking Keegan Street Reserve and the $1.1 million netball courts are part of a wider redevelopment of the Morwell Recreation Reserve precinct.
Mr Chester said the Federal Government was pleased to fully fund the $2.7 million upgrades to support local jobs and local clubs.
"These projects were funded after local club members met with me and highlighted the lack of facilities, particularly for netballers who were getting changed in their cars," Mr Chester said. "It’s a real win for grassroots sport.
"These new improved facilities will help to attract more netballers and cricketers to the clubs and, by encouraging people to get involved, we can help to boost community engagement.
"These projects have supported local jobs during the construction phase with HCM Constructions from Morwell contracted to do the netball courts and Traralgon’s Langden Constructions building the pavilion. This investment will help make Morwell and the Latrobe Valley an even better place to live and work.
"Attractive, well-serviced and connected communities are critical to growing our regions and contribute to a stronger nation."
The shared pavilion includes change facilities for players and umpires, a first aid room, accessible amenities, office and store rooms, a multi-purpose meeting space, a commercial kitchen and a covered area for spectators. The new outdoor netball courts were finished in time for use during the 2018 season. The project also included new lighting, player boxes, seating for spectators, access roads and car parking.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the upgrades meant Morwell was home to some of the best facilities in the region.
"These new facilities will mean more matches can be played and, with the new lighting, can be held at night," Mr McCormack said.
"Improved facilities will help attract more netballers and cricketers, and importantly more volunteers to both clubs.
"Both projects supported jobs during construction, contributing to the local economy – four for the netball courts and nine for the pavilion."
The $1.1 million netball courts constitute Stage 3 and the $1.6 million netball and cricket pavilion Stage 4 of the five-stage $9 million Morwell Recreation Reserve redevelopment.
The remaining stages (1, 2 and 5) include:
- construction of a new synthetic training oval
- the extension and upgrade of the existing football change-room facilities, and
- an upgrade of the Keegan Street Reserve cricket oval.
The recreation reserve upgrade is among a number of significant Federal Government infrastructure investments in Latrobe City, including the Latrobe Creative Precinct in Traralgon ($10 million), the Churchill dental prosthetics laboratory clinic ($2.66 million), the Morwell CBD revitalisation project ($1.75 million), the Traralgon-Morwell Shared Pathway ($1.6 million), the fitout of the upper floor of the Traralgon West Sporting Complex pavilion ($300,000), installation of CCTV cameras in Morwell ($233,000) and the new Churchill hockey pavilion ($200,000).
