Oscar Parry
A state government minister and Macedon MP visited the Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct to announce the completion of stage one 1 of its construction.
Community Sport Minister Ros Spence, Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas, and representatives from Macedon Ranges council visited the precinct in New Gisborne to announce the completion of the first stage of construction.
The over-$29 million first stage has delivered indoor and outdoor facilities, including a multi-sport stadium with three courts and a show court and a new football oval with an electronic sign board.
A new public park, more than three times the size of the MCG, was built around the precinct, which includes open spaces, gardens, a wetland, outdoor fitness equipment, barbecue areas, a playground, and a track for walking and bike riding.
Ms Spence said the precinct will benefit local sport, which is an “integral part of our local communities”.
“This new precinct will be a major boost to more than 3,300 local sport participants and the region more broadly with a range of sports clubs and community programs set to benefit,” Ms Spence said.
For the first stage, the state government funded $11.6 million under Local Sports Grant and $3.2 million under the Growing Suburbs Fund, Macedon Ranges Council funded $14.6 million, Melbourne Water funded $377,590 under the Liveable Communities Liveable Waterways program, AFL Victoria funded $100,000.
Macedon Ranges mayor Annete Death said that the project was the largest capital works project ever undertaken by the council.
“The need for more indoor and outdoor recreational facilities in the region has long been identified in our strategies, so we’re absolutely delighted to finally have a new state-of-the-art facility that will benefit our community for generations to come,” Cr Death said.
The second stage, which is set to begin in early 2025, will include the construction of an additional three courts, more amenities, another AFL/cricket oval, and two outdoor sports courts.
