ALBURY Council has confirmed it will be making a bid to keep the Ovens and Murray Football-Netball League grand final at Lavington Sportsground despite a major upgrade to the facility about to start.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The council's engineering committee on Monday night will recommend a contract for the first stage of an overall $9.5 million redevelopment of the venue it purchased in 2009.
Initial works include major earthworks ahead of the creation of a secondary playing field and changerooms.
Melbourne-based Depan Group is the preferred tender from a field of four companies which included two local firms with none of the submissions within the $2.54 million budget.
Stage one works are due to start in coming weeks with the area used for carparking on major events days to be off-limits.
The council had struck a deal with the former owners for use of the carparks and mayor Kevin Mack has confirmed talks had been held with the new owner so the grand final could remain at Lavington.
"It's a business proposition for him," Cr Mack said.
"We leased the carpark from the Panthers previously and it won't prevent us from leasing the carpark from the new owner.
"We will be bidding for the grand final.
"The grandstand and ground itself won't be interfered with until the new year."
Cr Mack said the council was hoping to attract another Big Bash cricket pre-season match to Lavington before the grandstand redevelopment started in the new year.
The O and M last week called for tenders from clubs to host finals matches.
Albury Tigers and Wangaratta Magpies have already publicly flagged their intention to bid for this year's grand final.
The O and M grand final has been played at Lavington since 1995.
