Four projects in the Mitchell Shire received funding through the State Government’s 2021-22 Local Sports Infrastructure Fund.
The government announced $800,000 for a Wallan Secondary College pavilion project, with $553,000 from Sport and Recreation Victoria and $267,000 from Mitchell Shire Council.
The project will deliver a new pavilion at the college with two unisex change rooms, two umpire rooms, an accessible public toilet, kiosk and storage.
The project is designed to make the site more usable for community sporting clubs, as current arrangements require players, coaches and spectators to walk several hundred metres to the closest public toilets.
Riding Develops Abilities, RDA, improvements at Seymour’s Kings Park will receive $250,000, jointly funded by $167,000 from Sport and Recreation Victoria and $83,000 from Mitchell Shire Council.
RDA groups give people of all abilities the chance to participate in horse riding programs, helping to develop skills, confidence and relationships for participants, volunteers and their families.
The project will see the installation of a roof over the outdoor area, as well as an accessible toilet at the club rooms for participants.
Seymour Tennis Complex will receive $226,000 for its lighting project, funded by $151,000 from Sport and Recreation Victoria and $75,000 from Mitchell Shire Council.
The project will provide a competition-standard LED lighting system for four courts that are currently unlit, allowing all eight courts to be used at night for improved scheduling and participation opportunities.
The $70,000 Mitchell Open Space Strategy will receive $30,000 from Sport and Recreation Victoria and $40,000 from Mitchell Shire Council to develop a new open space strategy that addresses changing growth patterns.
The funding will be used to audit the shire’s open space network, identify open space gaps, community needs and other issues to develop public parks, active open spaces, recreation and play improvements.
Mitchell Shire Mayor Bill Chisholm said the funding would help accommodate the shire’s growing population.
“We’re very pleased to see these important projects being funded and I know they will have a positive impact in our communities,” he said.
“We’re a growing shire and we’re already seeing our facilities being used more than they ever have.
“This funding from the Victorian Government is very important and we’re pleased to have their support to provide for our communities.”
