The Maffra community is celebrating the beginning of construction works for the $8.49 million Cameron Sporting Complex Stadium Redevelopment Project.
The excavators have moved in and building works have begun, on the biggest building project Maffra has seen for some time.
Wellington Shire Council Mayor Alan Hall, along with representatives from Sport and Recreation Victoria, the Latrobe Valley Authority and the Cameron Stadium committee of management gathered at the Cameron Stadium today to witness the works taking place.
The project is being funded thanks to $4.24 million from the Wellington Shire Council, $3 million from the Victorian Government's Better Indoor Stadiums, $1 million from the Latrobe Valley Authority's Community and Facility Fund and $250,000 from the Maffra Amateur Basketball Association and Maffra Gymnastic Club.
The project involves expansion of the gymnastics floor area and increased roof height to allow for trampolines to be used in competitions; refurbishment of the main basketball court; construction of two new indoor courts which are compliant for netball, basketball and volleyball; new changeroom facilities; refurbishment of public amenities; and foyer, hallway and meeting spaces; redevelopment of access roads and carparking areas.
Mayor Alan Hall said the Maffra stadium redevelopment was a good news story for the Gippsland economy, with local trades being used for the works.
"The tender for this project was won by Brooker Builders from Bairnsdale and we have been able to ascertain that 95 per cent of subcontractors for this build are from within Gippsland."
He said the community was excited works had finally begun.
"The Maffra sporting community has waited a long while for this, so it's fantastic to see the excitement that works are finally beginning," Cr Hall said.
"This is the biggest construction project to take place in Maffra for quite some time and the impacts this completed stadium will have will reverberate further than town boundaries.
"Our surrounding smaller communities also use Cameron stadium for their sport and recreation, along with the community meeting spaces."
The redevelopment will be complete in 2021.
