mmg.com.au

The multimillion-dollar expansion of Shepparton’s major sporting precinct is fast becoming a reality.

The Victorian Government has committed $650000 towards the development of the Shepparton Community Football Complex at the Shepparton Sports Precinct.

It is the first stage of a major redevelopment and expansion outlined in the Sport 2050 strategy.

Greater Shepparton City Council has produced an animated flyover of what the precinct will look like as part of a submission for a further $7.5million in funding.

The 2.7million development of new soccer pitches could be completed by the start of next season.

Securing additional funding would lead to new hockey and multipurpose pitches, a synthetic running track for athletics and a multipurpose football field the equal of Deakin Reserve.

The council will contribute more than $1.9million towards the soccer project, which includes proceeds from the sale of part of Chas Johnson Reserve for the expansion of Tarcoola retirement village.

Victorian Sport and Recreation Minister Hugh Delahunty said the complex included the development of four new soccer pitches, including two dedicated pitches with lighting and two multi-purpose pitches marked for soccer and other sports.

The complex will also include multipurpose change rooms with showers and toilets catering for the variety of users at the reserve, including females and referees.

‘‘The multipurpose field at the complex will also benefit from a $100000 contribution towards erecting four new light towers to upgrade the lighting,’’ Mr Delahunty said.