Jane Howlett,Minister for Sport and Recreation
The Tasmanian Government is committed to providing modern, fit for purpose sporting facilities to encourage Tasmanians to lead active and healthy lifestyles.
Under the 2020-21 Improving the Playing Field Grants Program, grants of between $25,000 and $250,000 were available to local Government and sporting organisations for projects that develop or improve functional and inclusive amenities.
I am pleased to announce that 27 projects across Tasmania, totalling more than $3.7 million will benefit from the large grants stream, with the Grants Program also providing assistance in supporting the state's building and construction industry and local jobs.
The Glenorchy City Council was one of the successful applicants and will receive $250,000 under the Program for the development of a new $750,000 BMX track at Tolosa Park.
The current BMX facility at Berriedale has its limitations and is restricted to club members only and I am confident that the new track at Tolosa Park will also encourage more Tasmanians to take up the Olympic sport while providing young people in the area a safe community space to be active.
In 2019, Southern City BMX hosted a round of the National series with riders from across Australia competing, and the new track will make the area a prime candidate for attracting more national, and potentially international, BMX events to Tasmania.
Construction on the Tolosa Park BMX track will begin soon and the project is expected to be completed by January 2022.
A full list of the successful applicants will be available on the Department of Communities Tasmania's website at www.communities.tas.gov.au/csr