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.
“The message to Premier Dan Andrews is simple: show us the money,” Mr Chester said.
“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.”
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work required to bring the facility up to the standard expected for men’s and women’s sport with change rooms that are out of date, and many of the other off-field amenities which are non-compliant to current regulations.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 matter of priority.”
