Liam McNally
Sporting clubs in Bacchus Marsh are set to benefit from improved facilities following commitments from both major parties ahead of the state election.
Both Liberal candidate for Eureka Paul Tatchell and current Buninyong MP and Eureka Labor candidate Michaela Settle have both promised funding to a new bowls and community hub, which will be a part of the Moorabool Aquatic and Recreation Centre (MARC) project.
Ms Settle announced the Labor Party would commit $2.9 million towards a new purpose-built community facility built in the heart of the major new sports and recreation precinct, which would become home to both the Bacchus Marsh and Avenue bowling clubs.
Mr Tatchell announced that the coalition would commit to providing $3 million in funding towards completing the basketball and bowls club complex.
Currently, the two bowling clubs are less than 600 metres apart on either side of the main street in Bacchus Marsh.
Star Weekly has reported that the two clubs merged in 2019, and have been playing together despite having two club houses.
The bowling clubs’ inaugural amalgamation committee member Steven Sullivan said the move has been anticipated for a couple of years, but they’ve had hiccups along the way.
“This relieves a lot of uncertainty among members for the future development of our combining clubs that we had always envisaged,” he said.
Ms Settle said the project will open valuable commercial space in the main street of town and give the community the new modern community space that they deserve.
“The Bacchus Marsh community is growing,” she said. “That’s why we’ll invest in important community spaces like this, so that locals have somewhere to meet, organise activities, volunteer and find out local information.”
Mr Tatchell, who is also a Moorabool councillor, said it would be a massive win for the Bacchus Marsh community.
“I’ve listened to the people of Bacchus Marsh who have told me this upgrade is badly needed.” he said.
“Thirty thousand people use the facilities at Maddingley Reserve every year, and as the area grows, so will the number of users – that’s why this project is so important.”
