Expression of Interest Lavington Sports Ground Usage and Events Expression of Interest – Lavington Sports Ground Usage and Events 3

Introduction

Why are we undertaking an EOI? AlburyCity is conducting an Expression of Interest (EOI) process to ensure a fair and transparent process for all potential user groups and organisations of the Lavington Sports Ground (LSG) which is nearing the end of a major redevelopment. We are now inviting organisations to express an interest in using the venue. The outcomes of this EOI process will help establish the future usage and direction of the venue, as well as to review and update the hierarchy of use that was originally established when AlburyCity purchased the venue in 2009. Expression of Interest – Lavington Sports Ground Usage and Events

Lavington Sports Ground – The Venue

The Lavington Sports Ground (LSG) is the premier The following Vision and Mission statements have sporting facility between Canberra and Melbourne. been developed for the venue: Following extensive community and stakeholder consultation, a Master Plan for the LSG precinct was finalised and endorsed by Council in April 2016. Vision The LSG is a sporting precinct designed for community and event usage. There are many The venue is nationally recognised elements to the operations of the precinct which as one of regional ’s are truly of a business nature. These are mixed with pre-eminent sports venues. elements, services and facilities which are provided for community and event support which are not of a business focus. Mission The $17M redevelopment includes a Council commitment of over $7M, with $4.025M through the The venue provides significant Federal Government’s National Stronger Regions Funding Program, $3.153m through the NSW direct and indirect economic and Regional Sporting Infrastructure program, $250,000 social benefit to the community of from the AFL and cash and in-kind contributions , delivering a positive return from local tenant user groups. on infrastructure investment by This major redevelopment will transform the providing a high quality accessible Lavington Sports Ground into one of regional Australia’s premier sporting and events facilities, venue. capable of hosting local, regional, state and national carnivals, community sport, national sporting fixtures and other events. 5

What are our Strategic 1. Drive growth in the visitor economy through Objectives? major events and carnivals across a range of sporting disciplines.

2. Build brand awareness and recognition of Lavington Sports Ground as a sports tourism destination.

3. Business management and operation is efficient and effective.

4. Provide an opportunity for local and regional residents to experience and participate in higher level and elite sporting events close to home.

5. Provide a premier and accessible multi-use sporting facility that meets community needs.

6. Increase operational revenue through business development opportunities.

. Expression of Interest – Lavington Sports Ground Usage and Events

What will the redeveloped Once the redevelopment is completed, our venue will include: venue offer? • T wo full size oval playing arenas to accommodate sports such as and AFL, or three rectangular fields which can be activated simultaneously to host codes such as soccer, rugby league, rugby union, and touch football games, lighting on the main field to 500 lux and to 200 lux on the second field, and associated infrastructure including scoreboards, coaches benches and seating. • F our-wicket synthetic cricket practice nets adjacent to the additional playing fields and a three-wicket turf table practice wicket. • A netball court with lighting, terraced seating and spectator shelter, with further upgrades to be finalised and implemented in 2021. 7

• A grandstand facing the main oval with undercover The expanded facility also offers enhanced capacity seating for 1,800 people, two sets of change and flexibility to host a broader range of activities. rooms, including one set to fully meet national sporting code standards, three sets of toilets, four disabled toilets, clubrooms, gym, media, timekeepers’, umpires’ and coaches’ facilities, office space and first aid rooms. • A new function space with the capacity for 150 people to be seated, full AV and projector facilities, a semi-commercial kitchen, bar and storage. • An amenities building located between the two playing fields with two sets of change rooms, toilets with separate disabled spaces, two sets of umpires’ change rooms, kiosk and storage. • A cycling velodrome with lighting, with practice netball court in the middle of it. • T wo further kiosk facilities and other amenities. • An electronic scoreboard (25sqm) on Ground No 1 and a smaller electronic scoreboard (14sqm) on Ground No 2. Expression of Interest – Lavington Sports Ground Usage and Events

Location and access

Positioned in the middle of the Melbourne-Sydney- Located just one block from the Albury city Canberra triangle, Albury Wodonga is easily centre, the Railway Precinct serves as the city’s accessible by road, rail or air. transport hub. NSW TrainLink and V/Line have daily rail services connecting Albury Wodonga with Albury Airport is conveniently located 5km from the Melbourne and Sydney. city centre of Albury and offers regular direct flights weekly to and from Sydney and Melbourne. Coach services (NSW TrainLink, V/Line, bus lines) connect the cities with an abundance of Albury Wodonga provides a range of transport destinations. options to move around the cities, including: taxis, Uber, public buses, chauffeured limousines or rental Albury Wodonga is an easy drive from major capital hire (Thrifty, Avis Car and Truck Rentals). cities along the M31 Hume Freeway. For those outside of the capital cities, the , Olympic and Murray Valley Highways all lead to Albury. 9

The Opportunity – EOI Fact Sheet

What types of use can be When will casual bookings of the submitted in the EOI process? venue be considered?

The EOI Process is for groups to express their Casual booking requests will be accepted and interest in regular on-going use and event content. considered following completion of the EOI process. Organisations can express an interest in using the facility for additional activities such as: • Sporting events, festivals and carnivals What about existing tenant user • Sporting competition and training groups of LSG? • Training and small conferences (within the new There are currently five tenant user groups: function room) • Lavington Panthers Cricket Club (Seniors) • Elite training and pre-season camps • La vington Panthers Cricket Club (Juniors) • Other events and activities • La vington Panthers Football/Netball Club Organisations can express interest in using the (Seniors) entire facility or parts of it. • La vington Panthers Football Club (Juniors) Given the enhanced capacity and flexibility of the • Albury Wodonga Panthers Cycling Club LSG, it is important that AlburyCity continues to engage the regional community to identify ways to These tenants use facilities within the venue realise the facility’s full potential. Some ideas that for training, competition and/or administration have been proposed include: purposes. They have licence agreements with AlburyCity for their regular use of the venue, which • Home fixtures for other organisations and codes; also lists their responsibilities in relation to use and • Dual code events; maintenance of the facilities they use. • Finals double headers; These groups will also need to submit a submission via this process if they wish to request use of • Finals festivals; grounds and facilities beyond their current licence • Spor ting carnivals that are attracted and term and scope. coordinated via local sporting organisations; • Elite sport and training content; • Local social or community events • Concer ts and festivals • Home and Leisure shows or similar type displays. Expression of Interest – Lavington Sports Ground Usage and Events

When will the venue be available How will the EOI submissions be for use? assessed?

The LSG is currently under construction. The Each EOI submission will be assessed according to main components - the new amenities building and the following criteria: grandstand extension - will be completed in • How the proposal aligns with the vision, mission September 2020, meaning full use of both grounds, and strategic objectives of the Lavington Sports the amenities and grandstand facilities will be Ground. available from late 2020. • The nature of the usage and or event. There are still a number of stage 3 projects that will take place around the precinct through to mid- • Benefit to the community. 2021, but these will have minimal impact on use of • Reasoning and rationale for the submission. the venue. The assessment will take into account demand for, and availability of, sports ground usage across What is the fee structure for LSG? AlburyCity.

A draft Fees and Charges schedule is being finalised and will be available in the coming months. Further discussions with potential users around fees and charges will take place as part of Step 2 of the EOI process.

How to submit the EOI submission Please email submissions to E: [email protected] by Friday 25 September 2020.

What is the process from here?

Project Timeline

Stage 1: August 2020 Calling for Expressions of Interest

Stage 2: September / October 2020 Assessment and shortlisting of submissions.

Follow up discussions and clarification with short-listed Stage 3: October 2020 organisations

All organisations will be notified on the outcome of the Stage 4: November 2020 Expressions of Interest

AlburyCity reserves the right to change the timing of the EOI. Should this occur all affected parties will be notified. 11 Contact Michael Stanton Team Leader Leisure Facilities AlburyCity P: 02 6023 8701 M: 0458 503 538 E: [email protected]

EOI Closing Date Friday 25 September