Metcalf said the Royal Baton Relay would pass through all Victoria’s regional cities, which would provide the opportunity to promote themselves to international travellers.
“There are many little towns that will get picked up [in the baton relay],” she said. “We want to make sure they look good.”
Regional Cities Victoria wants the whole state to benefit from the Commonwealth Games – not just hosting cities.Credit: Getty Images
The proposed $30 million for tourism would include accommodation and activities package deals available on ticket booking portals that would promote local hotels and attractions.
Bendigo netballer Charlotte Sexton, who was named in the Australian under-19 squad, said she hoped local sports facilities would benefit from the Games being held in regional Victoria.
Her club, Sandhurst Football Netball Club, had recently upgraded its facilities, but Sexton said other clubs often lacked basics, including warm-up areas.
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“Our warm-up can be running around a muddy oval,” she said. “Hopefully with regional Victoria hosting the Games, some of the sporting facilities that need support will get it.”
A new $111 million swimming and diving facility will be built at Armstrong Creek on Geelong’s outskirts, but two 50-metre pools will be removed after the Games and replaced with a smaller community pool and sport courts.
At Waurn Ponds, also in outer Geelong, a weightlifting and gymnastics venue will be built – later becoming sport courts, a dance studio and a gymnastics centre.
The City of Greater Geelong has committed $7.6 million to host the Games, but deputy mayor Anthony Aitken has cast doubt on the city’s ability to make a significant financial contribution.
In Ballarat, new warm-up facilities are to be built at the local showgrounds alongside an upgrade to Eureka Stadium as it prepares to host the athletics.
An artist’s impression of the pool at Armstrong Creek that will host the swimming for the Commonwealth Games.
Bendigo will host basketball, netball, track cycling, lawn bowls, table tennis and squash. Bendigo will not get new venues, but some existing ones will be upgraded.
Other regional cities want their share too, with Horsham and Mildura seeking upgrades to ovals, while Warrnambool wants a hockey pitch replacement in the hope of providing a training base or demonstration venue for the Games. Wodonga is seeking funding to upgrade lawn bowls rinks.
A state government spokesman spruiked the economic and social benefits of hosting the 2026 Games but did not answer specific questions about funding details.
Ballarat’s Eureka Stadium, which will host events at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.Credit: Eddie Jim
Victorian Tourism Industry Council chief executive Felicia Mariani said it was crucial the state government provided additional funding to Visit Victoria, so it could promote the state’s tourism attractions alongside the Games.
“There is an opportunity here to put all of regional Victoria on the global stage if our promotion is done effectively,” she said.
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