ALBURY Council has been asked to bail out a funding shortfall for the $1.3 million regional cricket training centre to be built at Birallee Park in Wodonga.
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The project approved by Wodonga Council almost a year ago, has failed to get off the mark with Cricket NSW backing away on an original funding commitment of $200,000.
It is only prepared to stump up $50,000 with Albury ratepayers asked to enter the partnership and contribute $150,000 in line with the Two Cities, One Community initiative between Albury and Wodonga councils struck last year.
Also, Wodonga Council still hasn’t secured $500,000 it has been chasing from the Victorian Government.
Wodonga’s sports and recreation manager Janelle Williamson confirmed the funding issues.
“There has always been a consideration of the potential impact if the required funding was not secured and this could mean re-scoping the project or staging construction,” she said.
“The detailed designs are still being finalised with an aim of going out to tender before the end of the financial year.”
Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria are contributing a combined $500,000.
Albury mayor Kevin Mack confirmed the council had contacted Cricket NSW to re-consider its support for the centre.
“It is a great Two Cities, One Community project, but we are still seeking clarification from Cricket NSW on its level of support,” he said.
A Cricket NSW spokesman said $50,000 was its “formal commitment” to the training centre, not $200,000.
“We remain committed to working with Wodonga Council to delivering this facility that will provide cricketers from the Albury-Wodonga community the opportunity to enhance their skills and play year-round,” he said.
Cricket Albury-Wodonga chairman Michael Erdeljac declined to comment.