AN updated Reid Oval doesn’t just benefit footballers and cricketers.
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The impact will be wide-spread, with economic boosts predicted for Warrnambool and the south-west.
The re-development of the oval has been a hot issue for more than 20 years, with hopes it would be funded in the 2018 state government budget.
It was again thrust into the spotlight this week.
Visiting officials and players were disappointed with poor facilities during last Saturday's interleague football match, reigniting calls for the funding.
It is now likely to become a key platform for candidates ahead of the November state election.
The development of Reid Oval is one of Warrnambool City Council's strategic priority projects.
The council’s director of visitor economy David McMahon said the redevelopment was essential to boosting the visitor economy.
“We would welcome any high profile sporting competition whether it be AFL or netball or any other particular sport,” he said.
“Sport tourism is absolutely the bread and butter for the visitor economy of Warrnambool
“Junior and master sporting events are essential to the growth of the visitor economy and ensuring that occupancy rates for accommodation and restaurants are maintained throughout the calendar year.”
In April the Reid Oval was scheduled to host the Nitro Circus Next Level Tour, however wild weather forced the show to be cancelled.
Mr McMahon said while it was disappointing the show couldn’t proceed, “it still highlighted Warrnambool’s ability to host major events”.
“Nitro is an example of multi-purpose use of venues such as a redeveloped Reid Oval can provide because event organisers are looking for venues that are ready to host with quality infrastructure – that being fencing, viewing areas, food and catering and toilet facilities,” he said. “(An upgrade) would make Reid Oval an attractive asset over other venues.”
Mr McMahon said 50 per cent of Warrnambool’s supported events were sporting related.
“This shows the importance of maintaining our sporting infrastructure to keep attracting not just sporting, but multi-purpose events,” he said.
Redeveloped facilities in other regions across the state highlight the economic benefits.
The updated Mars Stadium in Ballarat is expected to increase tourism by drawing 21,000 visitors to the city and increasing the annual tourism spend by up to $3.6 million annually, following the $21.976 million redevelopment.
It created more than 30 construction jobs and injected $11 million directly into the local economy.
With a capacity of more than 11,000, the new stadium can also cater for international acts and tournaments, attracting events to the region that would otherwise have to be held only in Melbourne or Geelong.
The upgrades attracted an official AFL premiership match for the first time, with the Western Bulldogs playing Port Adelaide in August 2017.
Seats for the match were sold out within three minutes of going on sale to the general public.
Two AFL matches will be held in 2018 and the Western Bulldogs have committed to play two to three AFL matches every year in the city.
Each game played at Mars Stadium has a total estimated economic benefit of $2.2 million.
That figure is forecast to triple throughout the four-year partnership with the Western Bulldogs.
In February Wangaratta hosted a pre-season match between Richmond and Essendon.
Rural City of Wangaratta councillor David Fuller said when the AFL came to Wangaratta it delivered a direct benefit of more than $1 million, plus flow on effects from overnight stays.
South-west politicians and Warrnambool councillors are strongly advocating for a redevelopment as well.
Member for South West Coast Roma Britnell said instead of giving multi-million dollar handouts to the AFL, Premier Daniel Andrews and Labor should be supporting community sport.
“If you don’t invest in grassroots sport, there will be no one to play on the big stadiums in the future,” Mrs Britnell said. “I’m continuing to work hard with my colleagues and key stakeholders to make sure the job is finished.”
Warrnambool City councillor Mike Neoh has started a petition for full funding for the works.
“The purpose of the petition is to let the politicians know that this is a priority project,” he said. “It’s putting it front and square so there is no ambiguity about this project. It’s about positioning it so that after the state election there are no excuses.”
So far there has been 450 online signatures, plus a few hundred more in hard copy.
“It’s not a Warrnambool Football Netball Club project or a cricket club project,” he said. “It’s a regional opportunity that you only get once or twice in a generation.”
Western District MP James Purcell has also been pushing for funding and has been meeting with Labor figures to discuss the project.
"There are many funding options still on the table and my role is making sure that the full project is funded,” he said.