Sarah Oliver
The state government should help fund the Moorabool Aquatic and Recreation Centre (MARC), according to Western Victoria MP Stuart Grimley.
Mr Grimley has called on the government to fund stage 1a of the project through the Regional Development Victoria (RDV) grants.
Mr Grimley said he has asked Regional Development Minister Mary-Anne Thomas to support the program during question time in Parliament.
“The community in Bacchus Marsh and surrounding suburbs are desperate for a new recreational facility,” he said.
“Not only will the MARC benefit clubs and amateur athletes, it will provide a great place for people to gather socially and be active.”
Stage 1a is worth $9 million but the council is hoping to offset $2.95 million of this project through the RDV grant.
“The Moorabool Shire deserve this grant. They are putting in almost $20 million towards a $23 million project which demonstrates how badly the infrastructure is needed,” Mr Grimley said.
If council receives the grant, they will be able to take Stage 1a out to tender in early 2022.
This stage of the project will see a state-of-the-art lawn bowls facility available for the community and extends on stage one which consists of a four court stadium, which council has already borrowed $12 million for.
According to the council, the project will create more than 200 direct and indirect jobs during construction and generate more than $100 million in economic activity during the life of the project.
The facility’s features include up to three new bowling greens, a commercial kitchen and bistro, bar, and social facilities.
It will be home to the recently merged Bacchus Marsh Bowling Club and Avenue Bowling Club.
Mr Grimley said bowls is an activity with growing popularity in Victoria.
“More than 198,000 Victorians played more than 4 bowls games in a year during 2019. That includes social bowls, which saw participation rates increase pre-covid,” he said.
“I look forward to the minister’s response to my question, and cannot wait to see the Moorabool Shire complete this fantastic facility in the years to come.”
