The upgrades to the Longford Recreation Ground will total a little over $7.5 million, according to a proposal tabled at Monday’s Northern Midlands council meeting.
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Upgrades to the sports and recreation facilities were announced in January, with Lange Design contracted to conduct and write up a project report.
The master plan for the development was included in the meeting’s agenda, and details the financial and construction aspects of the upgrade.
The eight-step development program, to be rolled out between 2017 and 2030, places new visitor and umpire facilities as the top priority.
Also included in the plan is a large-scale upgrade of the oval, enhanced parking capabilities and other related traffic reducing measures.
The report quoted that visitor and umpire facilities will cost just over $1000,000, while traffic and oval upgrades will cost $525,000 and $570,000 respectively.
Mayor David Downie stresses the importance of maintaining the facilities.
“I think the community really cares about these grounds, and that they are a much used facility by football teams of all ages,” he said
“It’s important to have really good facilities.”
While a $5.5 million grant from the state government will cover the majority of the upgrade cost, further funding is still required from a number of different avenues.
Recommendations from the report suggested that the council should look into a variety of ways to come up with the required $1.5 million for the rest of the upgrades.
“[The council should] consider funding components of the master plan in forthcoming council budgets, and request council officers to seek to secure external grants,” it read.
Cr Downie was confident that the council would be able to secure the required further funding.
“We will be seeking grants from state and federal governments to improve that facility,” he said.
“[Council rates] will absolutely be used to fund the project. That's why dividends from rates and income streams are important to shore up so we could provide the facilities.”
The council accepted the report, with Councillor Ian Goninion voting against it.
Stefan Boscia
Stefan came to The Examiner after working as a copywriter at a digital media firm in Melbourne and interning at The Conversation. He is enthusiastic about reporting on business, local government and environmental issues. When he is not chained to his work desk, Stefan enjoys getting brunch, reading Saul Bellow novels and watching Carlton games.
Stefan came to The Examiner after working as a copywriter at a digital media firm in Melbourne and interning at The Conversation. He is enthusiastic about reporting on business, local government and environmental issues. When he is not chained to his work desk, Stefan enjoys getting brunch, reading Saul Bellow novels and watching Carlton games.
