Friday, 28 February 2020

Gippsland’s footballers will be eager to pull on the boots to try out Morwell Recreation Reserve’s brand-new synthetic oval, added to the precinct thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing and Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester officially opened the $3.5 million synthetic oval against a fitting backdrop, with Hawthorn and St Kilda football clubs playing a pre-season bushfire recovery fundraising match on the reserve’s main grass ground.

The oval was funded by $2.3 million from the Labor Government’s $85 million Latrobe Valley Sports and Community Initiative administered by the Latrobe Valley Authority.

The 120 metre by 90 metre all-weather training oval includes a full sized soccer pitch to support community and elite sporting programs and make the reserve better suited to host major events.

It will also help the region’s AFL development club Gippsland Power by adding an outdoor practice option to complement its existing indoor centre.

Completed components of the redevelopment include the construction of netball courts, a shared sports pavilion and upgrades to the main oval lighting. A redevelopment of the adjoining Keegan Street cricket oval is also underway.

The project is part of a greater $9 million redevelopment of the Morwell Recreation Reserve and Keegan Street Reserve precinct co-funded by the Victorian government and the Commonwealth with a goal of establishing the venue as a regional football centre of excellence.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

“These upgrades to the Morwell Recreation Reserve continue the State Government’s record funding for sports infrastructure across the Valley as we invest in recreation projects that are driving community participation, competition and creating jobs.” 

“This transformation creates a sporting precinct to rival many clubs in metropolitan Melbourne and codes across the country, and we are so proud to support the communities and groups that will benefit.”