McLeish continues support for stadium campaign

State Liberal Member for Eildon Cindy McLeish has again put her voice behind the campaign to build the Mansfield Stadium calling on the Andrews Labor Government to fund the project.

Speaking in the Victorian Parliament Ms McLeish called on the Minister for Education James Merlino to provide funding that would enable the construction of a second basketball court at Mansfield Secondary College.

“It needs to be a dual-court stadium; it needs to meet tournament standards for basketball. The stadium that is currently proposed will not meet those standards, and this is a great concern to the town. It is seen as a wasted opportunity,” Ms McLeish said.

“No doubt the Minister’s attention would have been drawn to this critical sporting infrastructure need, which is very strongly supported by the community, during his very recent visit to the secondary college.”

“The Minister should be in no doubt that I have been a passionate advocate for the redevelopment of Mansfield Secondary College. I have spoken about the redevelopment in this Parliament on eight separate occasions since 2014.”

Ms McLeish highlighted Labor had previously indicated support for the project when Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes visited Mansfield in November 2018.

“Prior to the recent election the Coalition committed $3.5 million and the government also showed support for the project. When the Member for Northern Victoria who is now the Minister for Regional Development, visited the school, she was quoted as saying: “It’s a no-brainer for your community … I’m confident about this. The cost needs to be determined … But we are right behind it—our job is to push it.”

Ms McLeish concluded saying funding the project now would be a sensible decision for the government.

“The community use for the facility is well supported, and typically that has been the basis for a policy to be adopted by government. It makes sense for us to continue with this approach.”

“Supporting the project now makes total sense, and I urge the minister to get on board and support the Mansfield community.”