Gippsland › Latest news › Darren Chester MP
Falcons 2000 Soccer Club redevelopment advocated by Darren Chester despite Victoria Commonwealth Games cancellation
Darren Chester highlights the deteriorating facilities and escalating redevelopment costs, urging Latrobe City Council's support and funding bids for a priority site makeover.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is seeking a guarantee that a redevelopment of Falcons 2000 Soccer Club will proceed, after the Victorian government abandoned plans to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Mr Chester said that it was his understanding that a major redevelopment would occur at Latrobe City Sports and Entertainment Stadium in Morwell, as part of the Commonwealth Games in 2026 but the plans were in limbo.
Falcons 2000 Soccer Club President Tony Salvatore (left) and Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester after an on-site meeting about the facilities and the future of local soccer
Chester calls for accountability
Mr Chester said, "The message to Premier Dan Andrews is simple: show us the money. As a community, we must not allow the withdrawal of Victoria's bid for the Commonwealth Games to include a withdrawal of promised funds in our region. There is enormous uncertainty surrounding the future plans to improve the ground and associated facilities."
"My expectation is that all levels of government will need to work in partnership with the sporting community, to achieve the centre of excellence envisaged by the soccer community," he said.
Facilities upgrade advocacy
After an on-site visit with Club President Tony Salvatore, Mr Chester noted the facilities were continuing to deteriorate, while the redevelopment costs were escalating the longer the community waited. Mr Chester has written to Latrobe City Council to also seek its ongoing support for a major redevelopment of the Morwell facilities.
"Over recent years, I have had several meetings and on-site inspections with representatives from the local soccer community and the Falcons club. I remain fully supportive of their views that it needs a major facelift to restore it to its former glory and become a centre of excellence for soccer in eastern Victoria," Mr Chester wrote.
"There's a significant amount of work required to bring the facility up to the standard expected for men's and women's sport with change rooms that are out of date, and many of the other off-field amenities which are non-compliant to current regulations. I would be pleased to support any funding bids Latrobe City makes to secure Federal or state government grants to commence the redevelopment of the site as a matter of priority," he said.
Pictures from Darren Chester MP website.
Source: http://gippsland.com/
Published by: news@gippsland.com
Latest News
Cann River fire damages three commercial properties and burns popular Squires Cafe to groundCommunity feedback wanted for the Wellington Shire Draft Budget 2024/25 by 29 May 2024
Appreciation to Bairnsdale volunteers for their support during Gippsland Rotary Centenary House fundraiser extended by Darren Chester
Baw Baw residents will get new purple-lidded glass bins collected separately every four weeks to better recycling process from October 2024
Exhibition by artist Matthew Bagley is captivating journey into ocean conservation at Berninneit Art Gallery
Outward Bound Australia praised by Darren Chester for their effort to revitalise Gippsland outdoor education
Penny Glover from Guthridge Primary School presented with John Printz OAM Award in front of a huge crowd at Sale Memorial Hall
Upgrades to Kalimna Hill trail in Lakes Entrance prioritises safety and accessibility for walker
Baw Baw Shire Council funds 28 community groups total of $105,303 from Community Grants Program
Free Masterclass sessions to promote safe and sustainable community events in Lakes Entrance and Bairnsdale over May 2024