Minister Barr: Local sport to benefit from Phillip Oval upgrade
- Written by ACT Government
Released 03/06/2015
Today I joined Minister for Sport and Recreation, Shane Rattenbury, to announce a $4.6 million upgrade to Phillip Oval, as part of the 2015-16 ACT Budget.
The upgrade, in partnership with AFL NSW/ACT and CricketACT, will include new community facilities, administration buildings, storage and lighting. Under the partnership, the sporting codes will jointly inject a further $1.6 million to this project.
The 2015/16 ACT Budget has increased investment in our suburbs, delivering Canberrans the services they want and need right across the city.
Minister Rattenbury said that sport and recreation plays a vital role in keeping Canberrans fit, active and healthy.
“Through this year’s ACT Budget the Government‘s partnership to upgrade Phillip Oval will provide first class sporting facilities for Canberra’s south, with access for both community and elite level sports. The upgrade will also ensure that AFL NSW/ACT and CricketACT have new local administrative headquarters that will provide improved business, coaching and training opportunities,” Minister Rattenbury said.
Cameron French, Chief Executive Officer of CricketACT said that this is an exciting announcement for cricket in the capital region.
“A community focused administration, training and playing centre will ensure that boys and girls, from all levels, will have the ability to develop their skills in world class facilities,” Mr French said.
“It will ensure that our local junior talent have every opportunity to reach their potential and become the next Brad Haddin, Kris Britt, Jono Dean or Nathan Lyon. We thank the Barr government for their ongoing support of cricket and look forward to working with them to bring the project to life.”
The CEO of AFL NSW/ACT, Sam Graham, has said the upgrade of Phillip Oval is possible thanks to the strong relationships between the ACT Government, the AFL, the GWS GIANTS and the AFL Canberra Trust.
"We are extremely appreciative of the ACT Government's major contribution towards the upgrade of Phillip Oval,” Mr Graham said.
“The new facility provides a solution for the entire Canberra football community, from grassroots to the elite level. It also provides a home for AFL Canberra administration, GWS GIANTS Academy, community umpiring and AFL community football events.”
The upgrade to the facility will commence in 2016.
- Statement ends -
Section: Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases
