Tasmanian sports will have access to $10 million worth of infrastructure funding over the next two years as part of a construction blitz aimed at stimulating the state economy.
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Grants of between $25,000 and $250,000 will be available for facility and amenity upgrades as part of the Improving the Playing Field program.
Premier Peter Gutwein announced the funding alongside a package of nearly $70 million to upgrade the Derwent Entertainment Centre, which will cater for a Tasmanian NBL side.
"[The funding] is to ensure that we've got facilities for sporting organisations that can be upgraded both for female participation and increased activities and across the board," Gutwein said.
ELSEWHERE IN SPORT
The state's top cricket and soccer bodies were quick to welcome the announcement, issuing statements early on Thursday morning.
Cricket Tasmania chief executive Dominic Baker said the grants were a "step-change" for the many sports who have suffered through COVID-19 and added that several cricket projects statewide were "shovel-ready".
"It is fantastic that the Premier and sports minister have shown great initiative with this funding," he said.
"As restrictions begin to lift it will be great to get some facility projects underway as well as providing stimulus to the construction industry.
"Cricket Tasmania, along with the Australian Cricketers' Association and Cricket Australia, provide nearly $200,000 in infrastructure funding for cricket projects in Tasmania each year, and this support from the state government will make a significant difference in the number of projects we are able to get off the ground."
Football Tasmania boss Matt Bulkeley called the announcement a "win-win" for jobs and sport.
"Football is Tasmania's most popular team sport and one of our biggest challenges as the world game continues to grow in Tasmania is finding adequate facilities for our increasing numbers," Bulkeley said.
"Today's announcement will see facilities upgraded right around the state, which will benefit a variety of sports, not just football."