Northern Victoria MP Jaclyn Symes yesterday confirmed the Victorian government, Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria would contribute $500,000 towards a $1.3 million indoor training centre at Birallee Park. Wodonga Council has already committed $600,000.

The council hoped Cricket NSW would contribute $200,000 to make it a true cross-border collaboration, but that commitment has been capped at $50,000.

Albury mayor Kevin Mack told The Border Mail his council would find a way to make up the $150,000 shortfall.

“We’re considering it and we’re also speaking to Cricket NSW about why they didn’t allocate the full funding,” he said. “We’re not going to allow the facility to be downgraded.”

Wodonga mayor Anna Speedie said it was important to start work on constructing the cricket centre this year, so it could open in 2019, but plans remained flexible in the hope of securing the full $1.3 million.

“A centre of excellence allows us to service the region, but also attract others here to come and work in that academy environment, so we’re absolutely delighted,” she said.

“We know that our cricket numbers are growing at some of the fastest rates across the state so we need to provide the assets and the ability for our people and the region to be able to have access to the best training facilities.”

Cricket Victoria’s Anthony Ilott said there had been a 5 per cent increase in cricket participation on the Border over the past 18 months and the new centre meant they did not have to travel to Melbourne for expert training.

“The focus on the development of our younger players is really key at this point in time because we want to make sure that cricket is not only played by the rules, but playing in the right spirit, and we think this is a centre that can help engender that in the future generation of players,” he said.

The indoor cricket training centre plans were relocated to Biralee Park after Wodonga Council could not secure federal government funding for Baranduda Fields and will feature four pitches, unisex player change rooms and office accommodation for staff.

Ms Symes said it would be a regionally significant venue to enhance club competition and development of programs for players, coaches and umpires.

“While international cricket has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, this new facility in the heart of Wodonga is great news for the men, women, boys and girls of North East Victoria who love their sport,” she said.

“It’s been described to me as a stage 1 proposal so it’s a massive project that is going to set up the future of cricket here in regional Victoria.”