Funds for Punt Rd Oval
19 October 2007 Herald Sun
Daryl Timms
THE Federal Government will contribute $2 million to the redevelopment of Richmond's Punt Rd Oval.
An announcement will be made today by the Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator George Brandis.
Despite being home to Richmond for more than 120 years, Punt Rd Oval has fallen away into a venue with limited community benefit, according to Brandis.
"The Richmond Football Club's proposal will see the Oval become a centre for community life for the club's members, supporters and residents of the inner region of Melbourne," Senator Brandis said yesterday.
With a membership of about 30,000, Brandis said more than 35,000 local residents used Punt Rd Oval each year.
The Government funding will help the Tigers upgrade facilities for use by local community groups and residents and create community participation and involvement to complement the club.
Brandis said facilities planned for Punt Rd Oval included an indoor sports centre to house community sports, community swimming change rooms and new football change rooms.
"The new venue will also provide a new home for the Tigers in the Community Foundation Program which focuses on leadership, education and training, anti-obesity and healthy lifestyle programs," Brandis said.
The Australian Government will provide the funding in 2007-08.
Brandis said the Government's contribution was subject to the AFL, the Victorian Government and Richmond meeting their respective commitments to the project.
"The Australian Government will also consider the provision of a further contribution of up to $5 million towards the establishment of the proposed Indigenous Sports Institute, subject to the proposal being developed further in coming months," Brandis said.
This year the Australian Government will provide more than $350 million in funding for sport, an increase of more than 300 per cent since 1996.
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