Premier

Funding Boost For Gymnastics To Also Make A Splash

29 October 2018

Kids in Melbourne’s outer suburbs will be able to learn to swim and tumble, thanks to an Andrews Labor Government loan to the Belgravia Group to construct gymnastics and learn to swim facilities at four sites around the city.

During a visit today to Grange P-12 College in Hoppers Crossing, Treasurer and Member for Werribee Tim Pallas announced a $5.35 million loan will be provided to the Belgravia Group through the Victorian Government’s Community Sports Infrastructure Loan scheme.

This will allow gymnastics and swimming facilities to be built in Hoppers Crossing, Noble Park North, Burnside and Bayswater, catering specifically for children under 12 years old.

Learning to swim and gymnastics are the first and fifth most popular after-school activities respectively in Victoria.

The learn-to-swim pools will allow a range of children’s swimming classes, supporting the Victorian Government’s commitment to ensure that all primary-aged school children can swim at least 50 metres, helping to reduce the risk of drowning.

The upgrades will be funded through the $100 million Community Sports Infrastructure Loans scheme which provides low-interest loans of between $500,000 and $10 million for councils, clubs and organisations, to deliver and improve community sport and recreation infrastructure.

Since November 2014, the Andrews Labor Government has invested more than $420 million in community sport and recreation facilities, and earlier this year provided almost half a billion dollars in the Victorian Budget 2018/19 to support sport and active recreation at all levels throughout the State.

Quotes attributable to Treasurer and Member for Werribee Tim Pallas

“Learning to swim and gymnastics are two of the most popular sports for our kids. The new facilities will ensure locals have access to participate and be involved in the community.”

“We’re working hard to ensure Victorians of all ages have the facilities they need to play and participate in the sports they love.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Sport John Eren

“From learn to swim classes to cartwheels, these new centres will tick all the boxes when it comes to encouraging locals to get active and will help ensure families have the necessary water skills over summer and beyond.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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