Shepparton’s BMX and cycling facilities will receive a $2 million upgrade.
The facilities are already lauded as some of the best in the state, but will now be able to cater for more events.
Victorian Community Sport Minister Ros Spence announced upgrades for facilities at the Shepparton BMX Club and the Shepparton Cycling Club precinct alongside Greater Shepparton City Council representatives on Friday, April 12.
The upgrades include a new multi-purpose pavilion, improvements to the 5m and 8m start hills at the BMX track, improved storage, enhancements for broadcasting, drainage and maintenance management at the BMX track and a facelift.
The cycling precinct velodrome will also receive a lighting upgrade to support Shepparton Cycling Club members during training and competition, along with supporting BMX major events that use the velodrome for warm-up, team pit area and staging components.
City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali said the projects will help the Shepparton BMX and Shepparton Cycling Clubs to continue to grow and build capacity across the region.
“We are extremely pleased to have received this funding, which will be used for much-needed improvement upgrades to the facilities,” he said.
“The projects will ensure the future sustainability of BMX and cycling within greater Shepparton, which we hope will help to breed the next generation of sporting champions.”
Cr Sali said the upgrades will help the city continue to attract major cycling events.
“Greater Shepparton is a proven host of many successful local, state, national and international BMX and cycling events,” he said.
“These projects will allow us to further leverage off these events and increase the economic benefit for our region.
“We will now work to develop a 10-year pipeline of significant major events with AusCycling to ensure our region has the best events to showcase our world-class facilities.”
Ms Spence said the upgrade would be a major boost for bike riders across greater Shepparton and create jobs for people in the region.
“This will benefit sport in regional Victoria from the elite level to those that are just starting out,” she said.
“Our investment in this project is part of the Victorian Government’s strong commitment to sport, to recreation, to gender equality and encouraging all Victorians to get out and to get active.”
Shepparton BMX Club secretary Karen Kelly said the club was excited about the announcement, particularly the new pavilion, as the club has never had toilets before.
The funding is part of the state government’s Regional Sports Infrastructure Program, which was announced following the cancellation of the Commonwealth Games last year.
Olympic Gold medallist cyclist, Greater Shepparton native and Shepparton Cycling Club president Brett Lancaster expressed his appreciation for the investment into cycling in his hometown.
“It’s (the cycling club’s velodrome) one of the best outdoor tracks in Australia,” Mr Lancaster said.
“We were lacking the lighting, it’s hard to run events without the lighting.
“It’s very important for young riders at the national level to be able to train and the lights will help us do that.”
Ms Spence was non-committal on questions relating to a potential upgrade to the Shepparton Sports Stadium.