Ballarat's regional football facility growing

Minister pays visit to developing football hub.

Minister for Sport and Recreation Hugh Delahunty visited the Ballarat Regional Football Facility redevelopment at Morshead Park on Tuesday 4 September to inspect work-in-progress of the construction of the new pavilion which will add key supporting infrastructure to the fast developing football precinct.

“A key objective of the Victorian Coalition Government is to build healthy and active communities,” Mr Delahunty said.

“To achieve this goal, we need high quality, accessible community sport and recreation facilities that encourage the local community to come together as well as to play the sports they love for many years to come.”

Designed by K20 Architecture, the pavilion will feature unisex change rooms, shower facilities, unisex referee rooms, a canteen and a first aid room. The Ballarat Regional Football Facility already includes a synthetic football pitch with floodlighting and fencing as well as several grass pitches and change rooms and a Street Soccer Pitch.

Mr Delahunty said the facility would be used extensively by the Ballarat and District Soccer Association, the Ballarat Red Devils, Ballarat Academy of Soccer and local schools.

“Sport and recreation facilities are important community assets that support activities by local community groups and provide an integrated hub for people of all ages and abilities,” Mr Delahunty said.

Mr Delahunty said the Coalition Government was proud to have provided $2 million towards the new soccer pavilion following a commitment during the 2010 election campaign.  The Minister also thanked the City of Ballarat for contributing over $1.2 million, and the Ballarat District Soccer Association for their generous contribution of $50,000 to the project.

Football Federation SouthWest Victoria President Peter Reid highlighted the extensive use the regional centre is already experiencing and confirmed that the new pavilion would add an even strong boost to the game in the region. 

Mr Reid also flagged the sport’s intention to seek the Council and the State Government funding needed to finish the regional centre with previously planned elements, including the upper levels of the building and upgrade of the main field of play so that the venue can fulfil its planned potential across all levels of the game.