By Holly McGuinness
Hume council will lobby for state funding to build a community sports hub at Ellscott Recreation Reserve, Mickleham.
The council, in partnership with Football Victoria (FV) and Cricket Victoria (CV), is seeking $9 million.
Under the partnership, the reserve must include a World Football and Cricket Club hub.
The government funding would be added to $14,767,886 in council funding.
The additional funds would go towards hybrid turf pitches and ovals, a full size synthetic football (soccer) pitch, small sided synthetic football (soccer pitch), enhanced pavilion (likely double story) to accommodate training and development programs, gymnasium and meeting space, sports lighting across all ovals and pitches and miniroos pitches.
Speaking during a council meeting on Monday,September 12, councillor Joseph Haweil said a community sports hub was important in a growth area.
“We have a real opportunity not only to have the high quality facility that we will be building anyway but to supercharge it and deliver something that is incredibly unique for the community,” Cr Haweil said.
Cr Haweil said council would build a playing field and two pavilions at the reserve regardless of whether it secures state government funding, with construction to start this financial year.
Resident Andrew McKinlay said the hub would be a great addition to the area.
“I think it’ll be really good for professional clubs and kids and families,” he said.
“This could be really great if it gets through.”
