The announcement was made by Labor Member for Maribyrnong and Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services Bill Shorten at Windy Hill this morning.
Federal Labor will invest $6 million into the $28.7 million project, which is expected to include;
- An EFC administration centre. This will incorporate the APC’s Victorian administration;
- Training, medical and rehabilitation facilities for use by EFC and the APC;
- A fully accessible indoor club and community facility for EFC, APC and community use;
- A learning multi-media area which can be used by local schools and during EFC community programs, and;
- Upgrades of the existing EFC facilities for Club, APC and community use.
“Today’s funding will allow Essendon and the APC a unique opportunity to work together to enhance the performance of our athletes while also providing significant community benefits,” Robson said.
“We are excited by the opportunity to partner with the APC to enhance our efforts in promoting important social messages such as integration, awareness and inclusion within the sporting landscape.
“Essendon and the APC both have a number of successful and well established education programs. Through a collaborative approach we believe we can enhance both of these programs and develop new and innovative content that supports the common objectives of both of our organisations.”
Australian Paralympic Committee CEO Jason Hellwig said the proposed state-of-the-art facility would be used to improve pathways for Paralympic athletes and opportunities for people with disabilities.
“The EFC facility will become a hub for the Australia’s Paralympic athletes and teams. It will also become the operational headquarters for the APC’s Victorian administration and will be a base for camps, training, classification and talent identification,” Hellwig said.
“Further, we are particularly excited by the prospect of working with local clubs affiliated to the EFC to improve the skills of coaches, administrators and volunteers so that they may be exemplars in the provision of community based sporting opportunities for people with disabilities.”
Bill Shorten said that once complete, the project would allow the club to build on its successful community and harm prevention programs.
“The new sporting and community hub will be available for use by local schools, community groups and council-run programs as well as for EFC and the APC,” he said.
Essendon is currently exploring a number of location options, including Windy Hill and beyond, in order to deliver valuable outcomes for the EFC/APC partnership and to cater for future growth.
