Premier

Kicking Goals In Donald With New Sporting Complex

10 November 2017

The Andrews Labor Government will invest $1.1 million in a community driven redevelopment project at Donald’s major sports and recreation complex - AA Dunstan Stadium.

Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford announced the grant at a fundraiser event where the community aimed to raise $250,000 toward the project.

Donald has suffered through droughts and floods in recent years and the Stadium has remained the focal point for the tight-knit town. In a town of 1,700 people, more than 600 people use the facility each week.

The project will transform the town’s ageing sporting infrastructure into a vibrant multipurpose community facility to serve the community well into the future.

The redevelopment will provide an integrated community hub with facilities for indoor and outdoor sports, and expanded potential for hosting private functions and community events.

The project includes: an extension to the stadium with new basketball and netball courts; replaced internal walls and flooring; cricket practice nets; upgraded female and disabled toilets; space for the development of a community gym; a community meeting room; and refurbishments to the function room.

It will benefit more than 30 groups including sporting clubs, scouts, guides, tourism groups, a men’s shed, fishing, the Pastoral and Agricultural Society, and the arts.

The project will encourage increased participation in sports, promote a sense of community pride, and boost the local economy through the creation of new spaces for events and broader range or activities at the precinct.

Over the construction phase, the project will inject $2.85 million into the local economy and support 11 jobs.

The Labor Government’s investment is from the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund and the Community Sports Infrastructure Fund which support projects right across the state that make regional Victoria a better place to live, work, and do business.

The project also has funding support from Buloke Shire Council and Sport and Recreation Victoria and also fulfils a Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Partnership priority.

Quotes attributable Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford

“Sport is one of the foundations and fabrics of living in regional Victoria. We’re so proud to help the Donald community achieve their dream of having a modern, multipurpose sports and events centre.”

“Every Victorian deserves the very best sporting infrastructure. From emerging young gun athletes in the Wimmera who will enjoy new change-rooms to spectators who will have better seating and function spaces, we’re proud to play our part in this historic redevelopment.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Sport John Eren

“This is a real game-changer for sport in Donald. This community deserves a modern stadium they can be proud of and we’re thrilled to help make it happen.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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