The Labor Party has pledged $20 million for the second stage of the Mernda Regional Aquatic and Sports Centre if it wins the state election.
Whittlesea council administrators approved a business case for the centre on July 18, deciding to build the facility in stages over a number of years after the COVID-19 pandemic added $67 million to the project costs.
Council will prioritise the construction of the centre’s indoor and outdoor courts to address the city’s significant court shortfall.
Construction of the courts will be part of stage two of the project, which will also include designs for the aquatic and leisure facility, with work expected to start in 2024-25, subject to $40 million in external funding.
Labor candidate for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage made the promise last week, saying it will give more local players the opportunity to plan and train close to home.
Council’s chair administrator Lydia Wilson welcomed Labor’s announcement.
“The facility will be council’s largest, single investment in social infrastructure, and we cannot deliver it in isolation. We have been strongly advocating for funding support from the state and federal governments and we welcome today’s announcement which is a direct result of this advocacy,” she said.
“The delivery of the outdoor multipurpose courts and indoor stadium will not only address our region’s current deficit of netball and basketball courts but also help boost sporting participation rates in our community, particularly for women and girls.”
Labor’s funding pledge follows a $15 million commitment from the Liberal Party, announced on September 29.
Council is delivering phase one of the project, which is currently under way to ensure the site is ready for construction to commence on the indoor stadium and outdoor multipurpose courts.
Future phases of the project will include a 50m multipurpose pool, warm water, teaching and leisure pools, gymnasium and health consultancy suites.
Once complete, the Regional Aquatic and Sports Centre will bring an estimated $784.3 million in economic value and $150.7 million in social value to Victoria over 30 years, as well as promote health and wellbeing outcomes for our community.
