Victorian Government announces new Sports Facilities Grant funding

Aiming to help communities provide more opportunities for people to participate in sport and active recreation, the Victorian Government has opened application for its new $22 million Local Sports Infrastructure Fund.

Announcing that applications for the fund’s inaugural round are now open, Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula stated "we want all Victorians, regardless of postcode or gender, to have access to quality facilities so that they can pursue their sporting or recreational passion.

“Playing sport not only gets people active and healthy it also gets them out into the community – these are important reasons why we are getting on with delivering this program.”

Councils and Alpine Resort Boards can apply for grant opportunities across five streams: Aquatic Centres and Indoor Stadiums, Strategic Facilities, Female Friendly Facilities, Community Facilities and Planning.

The new $22 million program will provide high-quality, female friendly, safe and accessible facilities to ensure all Victorians can enjoy the benefits of participating in sport and active recreation.

Eligible projects include aquatic centre upgrades, sports grounds and pavilion developments, new sport surfaces, lighting installations, strategic and regional planning, and active recreation facilities such as play spaces and recreation trails.

A commitment to increasing women and girls’ participation sees grants of up to $500,000 available for female-friendly projects.

The fund is part of an $850 million Government investment in community sport and active recreation infrastructure since 2014, providing better health, wellbeing, social and economic outcomes for Victorian communities.

Interested clubs should discuss project proposals with their local council, with applications closing on 14th February 2020.

For more information go to sport.vic.gov.au.