New stage of $47 million Mildura sports precinct opens

Mildura Rural City Council has today marked the official opening of the $13  million second stage of the Mildura Sporting Precinct.

The new state of the project, which is the largest infrastructure project ever undertaken by the Council, was officially opened by visiting Victorian Minister for Community Sport, Ros Spence and Mayor, Liam Wood.

The project has been funded by the Victorian Government, with $10 million through the Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program, $250,000 through the Local Community Infrastructure Fund (Multisport Infrastructure) and $500,000 through the Local Community Infrastructure Fund (Outdoor Netball).

The Stage 2 works were delivered over an 18-month period and include:

• Upgrade of the LED lighting to Oval 1 to 500-lux suitable for the conduct of major events. (Completed in stage 1);

• Eight-lane turf and synthetic cricket practice nets (Stage 2 works);

• A second multi-use oval with a centre wicket floodlit to 150-lux competition standards;

• Additional gender-neutral change rooms, umpire facilities and storage;

• New ground floor social room;

• Four indoor squash courts (with moveable wall for doubles competition);

• Four outdoor acrylic netball courts floodlit to 200-lux competition standards;

• Indoor seating improvements, including retractable grandstand accommodating 500 spectators;

• External seating improvements, including installation of oval perimeter seating, a spectator mound catering up to 5,000 people, and additional tiered seating and shade catering up to 200 spectators;

• Window blinds for Court Hall 1;

• Electronic Scoreboards to support Oval 1;

• Vehicle access to park around Oval 1;

• Perimeter and ticket fencing;

• Second floor sports administration hub.

The precinct will also see the four outdoor beach volleyball courts, a Changing Places facility, additional sealed carparks, landscaping improvements and solar panels operational this year.

Speaking at the opening, Mayor Wood thanked the Victorian Government for its support of MSP’s second stage, commenting “this facility has been a long time coming for our community. It was first envisaged more than two decades ago, with the goal to create a home for community sporting groups and organisations who up until this point had been homeless.

“When we first opened the facility we encouraged everyone to see the action and experience the atmosphere at Mildura Sporting Precinct. The action and atmosphere has been nothing short of electric, and I can’t wait to see what the next exciting chapter for this great facility brings.”

Minister Spence said investment in regional facilities delivers more opportunities for all Victorians to enjoy the sports they love, noting “the new Mildura Sporting Precinct is a big boost for Mildura and the region, delivering the world class sport facilities the community deserves.”.

Image: Mildura Mayor Liam Wood and Victorian Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence at today's opening.