Liberal candidate for Corangamite Stephenie Asher has matched her Labor counterpart’s election promise for funding for Ocean Grove’s Memorial Reserve.
Libby Coker announced $750,000 towards upgraded lighting and female-friendly changerooms earlier this month.
Ms Asher, who was joined by Liberal senator Sarah Henderson, matched the funding in Ocean Grove on April 19.
Memorial Reserve is used as an ‘overflow’ oval by junior football teams from both the Ocean Grove Cobras and Ocean Grove Grubbers, as well as Ocean Grove Cricket Club in summer.
It is also home to the Bellarine Table Tennis Club, Ocean Grove Badminton Club, and other community recreation groups which use the reserve including for pickleball, soft tennis and fitness classes.
“I’ve been a strong advocate for sport in the area and with participation rates increasing, we need to make sure that our community has access to fit-for-purpose facilities across Ocean Grove,” Ms Asher said.
“I look forward to continuing to work hard for Ocean Grove families to ensure the very best of community facilities are delivered.”
Senator Henderson said the funding was in addition to the federal government’s $500,000 commitment in the 2019 election, which is being used to fund a minor lighting upgrade at Memorial Reserve as well as major upgrades at Shell Rd Reserve – new oval netting, netball court seating (in progress) and upgraded lights for the main oval and netball courts which have recently been completed and “switched on”.
“With so many community and sporting groups using Memorial Reserve, this project will provide vital investment for the Ocean Grove community,” Senator Henderson said.
“A key focus of the Morrison Government is to build stronger communities in the regions. Investing in sporting and community infrastructure supports healthy, active and connected communities.”
Ms Asher and Ms Coker will battle it out for the federal seat of Corangamite at the federal election on May 21.
