Prime Minister announces $2.6 million for soccer facility

The investment will go towards a lighted show pitch, two additional playing pitches, two grandstands and further upgrades of the Morshead Park pavilion.

The funding is the final piece in the puzzle for the project, which has already received backing from the state government and the City of Ballarat to complete earlier upgrades.

Once finished, the facility will hold 1500 spectators and boast an international-standard pitch, ready to host major regional and state competitions.

It is slated to be completed by March next year, in order to be considered as a host for a team at the 2015 Asian Cup, which will be held in Australia.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard said the facility would boost Ballarat jobs and tourism, as well as the local community.

“People obviously love their soccer, love coming here, but the facilities for the future will be at a far higher quality,” she said.

Football Federation of South West Victoria chairman Peter Reid said the facility would put Ballarat on the map for national and international events.

“It’s a great day. It will be able to showcase Ballarat to everybody,” he said. 

Ballarat MP and Regional Services Minister Catherine King said the campaign for a first-class soccer facility in Ballarat had been running for at least seven years.

“It’s been a long time, talking about how do we develop soccer and particularly the huge amount of juniors that you’re getting into the sport, and what we do to really make sure Ballarat has great regional facilities,” she said.

Mayor John Burt said the funding would sit alongside the City of Ballarat’s recent commitment of $2.7 million to the facility.

He said the money would ensure the ‘Back the Bid’ campaign to get an Asian Cup team in Ballarat could now proceed.

“This puts the cream on the cake. We can now quite confidently say we’re going to do it,” he said. 

Ballarat Red Devils player David Carton, 11, said his family often had to go to Melbourne to watch quality games of soccer. 

“It’s going to be really cool because I can come down and have a kick and there will be big matches on every once in a while,” he said.

The money was announced under round four of the federal government’s Regional Development Australia fund.

tom.cowie@fairfaxmedia.com.au