This week in Parliament Kim O’Keeffe, the Nationals Member for Shepparton District, called on the Community Sport Minister, Ros Spence, to provide funding for the redevelopment of the Shepparton Sports and Event Centre.
Ms O’Keeffe emphasised the need for fair distribution of the $2 Billion Regional Funding Package following the cancellation of the regional Commonwealth Games and said that Shepparton deserves an infrastructure sporting investment.
“The Shepparton Sports and Events Centre is a top-priority project that is ready to go with completed design and costings,” she said.
“The community has totally outgrown the current facility and both Basketball Victoria and the Greater Shepparton City Council have nominated this project as one of their highest priorities.”
The current building, which was built in 1972, is deteriorating at a fast rate.
The redevelopment includes a brand-new facility with a 3,000-seat show court, catering to a diverse range of indoor events. This multipurpose venue would offer significant economic opportunities for the region by hosting major sporting tournaments and other major events.
“You can’t get a seat at a Gators game with the current limited seating capacity and Shepparton is missing out on National and State Basketball Tournaments due to the facility not being up to standard,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
“We have been lobbying for this Stadium redevelopment for a long time and this is an opportunity to make it happen.
“It’s not good enough that our local basketball and sporting clubs are having to play at an ageing and run down stadium.
“In the absence of the Games and the economic and social benefits this would have provided, I believe it’s crucial that we prioritise the redevelopment of the Shepparton Sports and Event Centre.”