Northern Midlands mayor David Downie says his council has requested funding of close to $5 million the under the Northern Economic Stimulus Package’s interest-free loan program.
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The state government announced the program last month, which would see councils share in a pool of $60 million to bring forward capital works plans.
“It includes the Campbell Town Recreation complex, amenities at Cressy for $220,000, we want to make improvements to the Longford Football Club rooms, [and] we’re looking to put lighting into a number of recreation grounds throughout our municipality,” he said.
“We’ve bought a block of land at Ross and we want to make that into a park at the centre of the village, and we want to bring forward signifcant works on footpaths and we also hope to be able to do some developments at the Longford Community Centre.”
The West Tamar Council will also put forward a proposal to upgrade the Riverside Olympic Soccer Club rooms.
General manager Rolph Vos said upgraded club rooms had always been part of the Windsor Community Precinct plan.
“We haven’t been in a position to do that yet so we are really pleased to be able to bring that forward,” he said.
“It’s going to mean that for a large, successful club we can provide modern facilities for both males and females.”
Mr Vos said the council was also considering applying for funding to improve the turf of the adjacent second soccer ground.
Riverside Olympic Soccer Club president Bart Taylor said the project would future proof the club and allow them to expand.
“We’re growing year on year with our junior members, we’re up to 450 junior members now and 150 senior members,” he said.
“The facility is definitely run down and the change rooms need upgrading and we need several change rooms for both males and females and our junior playing group.”
Mr Taylor said the project, which is expected to cost about $1 million, would ideally be completed within 12 to 18 months in time for the club’s 50th anniversary.
Treasurer Peter Gutwein said the loan scheme had generated signifcant interest.
“At this stage I am aware of more than 20 projects across the North and North-West and … I expect from just a handful of councils in the Northern area that we will see potentially 15 projects for tens of millions of dollars brought forward,” he said.