A future Brumby Labor Government will invest $7 million towards upgrading and opening up the Olympic Park sports precinct to the public, providing access to state-of-the-art facilities.
Sport and Recreation Minister James Merlino said the planned upgrade included a new running track linking to the Tan Track, a health and fitness centre and new public change rooms and amenities for women.
“Victorians love their sport and fitness and that’s why we’re investing in sporting infrastructure. We know the benefits sport provides to our communities and by improving the quality of facilities we’re encouraging even more people to get healthy and active,” Mr Merlino said.
“Opening up the wonderful sports precinct to the community will make the elite facilities at Olympic Park and the Westpac Centre - the exclusive home of Collingwood Football Club and the Victorian Institute of Sport - available to schools, sporting clubs and community groups.
“A future Labor Government will invest $7 million towards the redevelopment - the next stage in connecting the city’s best sporting venues into one fantastic precinct, serving both elite sport and the wider community.
“Importantly, the redevelopment will also deliver better amenities for female athletes to encourage more women’s groups to use the area.”
The plan for the new facilities includes:
* An international netball training facility and home base for the Melbourne Vixens at the Westpac Centre;
* New public change rooms and amenities for women;
* A Health, Wellness and Fitness Centre;
* A synthetic two-lane running track around Olympic Park, linking to the Tan Track;
* An interactive visitor centre for tourists, community groups and the public; and
* A theatrette for presentations and programs aimed at school and community groups.
Mr Merlino said Labor would work with the Collingwood Football Club, the Melbourne and Olympic Park Trust and other stakeholders to deliver the project, estimated to cost up to $15 million.
“The existing layout of the facilities restricts access to the wider community. This redevelopment will provide new public open spaces and first-class recreational services for sports lovers in the inner-city, particularly in netball and athletics,” he said.
“The new community centre will be an ideal venue for school children to attend lectures and participate in programs focussing on the importance of physical activity, diet and nutrition, and regular exercise.
“With a synthetic running track, better linkages to the Tan, and improved change room facilities, the redeveloped Olympic Park and Westpac Centre will also become the ideal base for personal trainers and their clients to engage in fitness activities.
“This is an important first part of our long-term vision for a world-class sporting and community precinct in Melbourne - dubbed Melbourne 3000S - encompassing the MCG, the Melbourne and Olympic Park precinct and the new Rectangular Stadium.”
Collingwood Football Club and the AFL will be making significant funding contributions to the facilities to support Labor’s investment.
Collingwood President Eddie McGuire said the Olympic Park precinct had become the biggest sporting and event precinct in the world and one of Melbourne's greatest assets.
“The Brumby Labor Government's vision to create 3000S and support the development of a new community centre will open up this amazing precinct for greater public use,” Mr McGuire said,
"We are delighted to be able support this major initiative as it will enable our elite facilities to host major community events and activities and a range valuable programs and experiences for young people."
