Thursday, 27th July

The Andrews Labor Government is one step closer to bringing the best of football back to the Latrobe Valley.

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing joined Latrobe City Council today to announce the purchase of the 12,000 spectator capacity Latrobe City Sports and Entertainment Stadium.

Latrobe City Sports and Entertainment Stadium – the home ground for local teams such as the Falcons 2000 Football Club – was chosen because it’s the most significant multi-use facility and the only football stadium of its size and stature in the region.

The complex can now be upgraded with new synthetic pitches and lighting for night matches, giving it the power to attract the big football games and events.

It will provide a home for the Gippsland Football Club’s boys and girls teams, and the elite-level grounds will be available for other sports that play on a rectangular pitch.

A regional Soccer Centre of Excellence will also be established at the site to provide a pathway for our young local athletes from the grassroots to elite level. It’s a big win for the entire Latrobe Valley community, who will be able to use the facility all-year-round, day or night.

Australian basketball champion, four-time Olympian and leading sports administrator Larry Sengstock has been appointed to oversee the upgrade of the Latrobe City Sports and Entertainment Stadium.

Mr Sengstock will also manage other projects as part of the sporting package, including:

• $46 million to construct the Gippsland Regional Aquatic and Leisure Centre
• $17 million to redevelop the Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports and Entertainment Complex in Traralgon
• $4 million to upgrade Morwell Recreation Reserve
• $3 million to upgrade the Ted Summerton Reserve in Moe

Mr Sengstock was formerly Chief Executive of Basketball Australia and head of Sport and Operations for the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games. He starts work at Latrobe City Council on 7 August, 2017.

The Labor Government has allocated $4.2 million to purchase and upgrade the stadium, as part of the $85 million Latrobe Valley Sports and Community Initiative.

Latrobe City is delivering the infrastructure component with support from the Latrobe Valley Authority.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing:

“This is our first step to bringing world class football, and all it has to offer, back to Gippsland.”

“That’s what the Latrobe Valley Sports and Community package is all about – creating jobs and delivering the very best infrastructure to make our region stronger.”