$10 million for Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre
Simon Crean, Federal Member for Hotham with State Member for Bentleigh, Rob Hudson has announced that the Federal Labor Government has offered up to $10 million towards the $46 million Sports and Aquatic Centre at Bailey Reserve in Bentleigh East.
The funding is part of our $800 million Community Infrastructure Program – the largest one-off investment in local infrastructure in Australia's history.
Across Australia, this program will invest in community and sporting facilities to create jobs and stimulate local economies during the global economic recession.
“This is a great announcement for our local community and is prime example of our 3 levels of government working constructively together,” Simon Crean said.
“I congratulate the Glen Eira Council for persevering in its efforts to get this important project to this stage and I look forward to its completion.”
“This funding is a tribute to the community who have fought so hard for this centre. They dared to dream and today their dreams have come true. Now they can look forward to the new centre being built which will be a wonderful asset for the whole community,” Rob Hudson said.
Simon Crean said the project, which is being managed by the Glen Eira City Council, will provide recreational and sporting opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.
The development will:
- improve local aquatic facilities by including a 50 metre outdoor pool, a 25 metre indoor pool, a hot water pool, a ‘learn to swim’ pool, spa, sauna and steam rooms; and
- provide a venue for other sports activities by including a three-court basketball/netball stadium and a fully equipped state-of-the-art gymnasium with associated change facilities.
To complement these features and to provide a level of service to meet community expectations the centre will also include a crèche, a wellness centre and consulting rooms, and a cafe and dry lounge area.
Local councils and shires across Australia submitted more than 3,600 community projects for funding under the Community Infrastructure Program.
