ROBINVALE’S on-again, off-again Arena Moto Cross Track development project is back on the agenda, albeit on a smaller scale.
The project was axed by Swan Hill Rural City Council in March last year after it became apparent the Robinvale Motorcycle Club was unable to achieve the project scope as outlined in funding arrangements.
The club received almost $69,000 funding from Sport Recreation Victoria (SRV) through the 2015-16 Sport and Recreation Grant Program as well as equal amounts of $11,700 put forward by Swan Hill Rural City Council and the club itself.
The project aimed to enable the club to run motorcycle events at night and included the construction of an arena cross track, lighting, fencing, track watering system and viewing mound.
The original completion date for the project was December 2016, with a formal resolution from council to terminate the project in March 2019 due to the inability to meet the project scope.
However, council development and planning director Heather Green said further correspondence with SRV had provided council with the opportunity to support the Robinvale Motorcycle Club through the continuation of the grant funding with a new scope of works.
Ms Green said the Robinvale Motorcycle Club had identified possible changes in scope including priorities of shower amenity block upgrade, kitchen upgrade, shelter erection, start gates, watering system and track markers.
She said council officers were costing the projects to determine which could be delivered within the remaining budget of $44,614 and within a 12-month period.
Councillors were told the development of the Robinvale Arena Moto Cross Track could attract additional regional motor racing events to Robinvale, however the current funding variation request could jeopardise other sport and recreation funding opportunities for the Swan Hill region.
Robinvale ward councillor Jade Benham successfully moved that council accepts the SRV offer to expend the remaining grant funds and change the scope and timelines of the project, identify what can be achieved with the remaining funds and inform the club that if approved by SRV, the council would act as project manager and deliver the project on behalf of the club.
