Devonport City Council has today launched the Sports Infrastructure Priority Investment Plan, a $60M vision, set to transform the sporting landscape in the Devonport region for generations to come.
The exciting Plan includes the development of a state-of-the-art indoor stadium and sporting facilities at the Devonport Oval Precinct, along with investment in the Valley Road Regional Football Centre, impacting over 6000 participants across seven major community-based sports.
“This is one vision, which has unified support from the major sporting codes, local clubs and Council. It incorporates two sites and most importantly will benefit over 6000 local community sporting participants; it will certainly be a game changer. It is exciting to now be able to release these Plans to the public” said Devonport Mayor, Cr Alison Jarman.
Based on findings in Council’s Sports Infrastructure Master Plan, the priorities are a result of three years of comprehensive planning and collaboration and represent a significant commitment by Council to enhance sporting infrastructure and foster community health and well-being.
Through close engagement with local sporting clubs and the support of State sporting bodies, the Priority Investment Plan is a united community vision for the future of sport and recreation in the City.
Both the Tasmanian Liberal and Labor parties last week, pledged the final $25million required to make the $60million plan a reality with the balance of funding previously committed from the Australian Government and Council.
Devonport Mayor Cr Alison Jarman attributed the Plans ability to attract bi-partisan support to the strength of the Plan and the unity of Clubs and Council.
“This Priority Investment Plan has been four years in the making, it’s an exciting vision for the future of sport in this region and has united support from the sporting codes, local clubs and councillors making it an attractive proposition for any future Government.” said Mayor Jarman.
“In coming weeks Council will hold a community drop-in information session for anyone who wants to come along and have a look at the plans in detail and understand what is proposed.” Cr Jarman said.
The Devonport Oval Precinct includes the construction of a four-court community use hall, a two-court show court and events centre with a seating capacity of 2000. The plan also incorporates indoor cricket and high-performance training facilities, outdoor netball and half-court basketball courts and multi-functional social and administration facilities at the site. Linkages between Devonport Oval and Byard Park will be greatly enhanced, integrating the three ovals into the one precinct. New shared all-gender amenities and social facilities are included at Byard Park.
Upgrades to the Valley Road Regional Football Centre will support the growth in soccer participation and provide an enhanced spectator experience to further attract elite level competition.
A development application will be lodged in coming weeks for a new indoor stadium, the centre piece of the Priority Investment Plan.
“Council staff, along with the architect have been working closely with local sporting clubs over the last six months and now have the design drawings for a new indoor stadium ready to submit for DA.”
The economic and social benefits of the Sports Infrastructure Priority Investment Plan will continue the momentum generated from Council’s successful LIVING CITY initiative, which is transforming Devonport into a leading regional city.
“We are really starting to see the benefits from Council’s bold LIVING CITY vision and this further investment will see the momentum in our City continue with many hundreds of jobs to be created both during construction and also ongoing with the new opportunities these facilities will create, in both the sporting and major events areas,” said Mayor Jarman.
