Werribee Football Club chief executive Mark Penaluna has urged Labor and the Coalition to provide the $2.5 million required to complete Chirnside Park’s redevelopment if they win November’s state election.
However, both Tarneit Labor MP Tim Pallas and Western Metropolitan Liberal MP Andrew Elsbury last week refused to commit to additional funding.
Wyndham council last month promised $5.5 million over its next two budgets to help bring the venue up to AFL and building code standards.
The Tigers will contribute $1 million to the redevelopment, with the AFL and AFL Victoria providing $250,000 each.
The council has joined the club in lobbying the government for additional funding to build multi-purpose community and commercial spaces and provide an upgraded gym, lecture rooms, offices and areas for other sporting associations.
As reported by Star Weekly, Mr Penaluna said the club’s headquarters failed to meet basic requirements for women’s and umpire change rooms, seating and accessibility.
If elected, Labor has pledged $70 million to further redevelop Geelong’s Skilled Stadium.
However, Mr Pallas would only say Werribee’s bid for extra funding would be considered by a Labor government. “Labor will establish a $10 million grant fund to build and upgrade women change rooms and facilities at sports clubs around the state,” he said.
Mr Elsbury said he was a strong supporter of the redevelopment, but also gave little away.
“We will continue to work with the council and the Werribee Football Club, but we can’t make any commitments in terms of funding.”
Mr Penaluna said he was hopeful the redevelopment would receive government support. “We think we have a terrific proposal,” he said. “We just hope the state government contributes the funding we have applied for and delivers a facility that the City of Wyndham needs.”
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