SALTA Constructions has been awarded the contract to build the Western Bulldogs’ childcare hub.
The announcement was made last Thursday when Prime Minister John Howard turned the first sod for the development at the grounds in Footscray.
The hub will include a 105-place childcare centre that will be run by a not-for-profit organisation.
The contract for the main works, including the building state-of- the-art training facilities, is yet to be awarded.
Sam Tarascio executive chairman of Salta/Westgate said he bid hard for the contract “being a strong supporter of the Western Bulldogs”.
“Our company employs 800 people here, which is reflective of our commitment to the area and the people,” Mr Tarascio said referring to his business in the West.
Mr Tarascio established an inland port in Altona in 2004.
He also recently acquired a container park in Yarraville from which Interport Services, a container repair and related container services, is being run.
Mr Tarascio has strong links to the West, growing up and attending school in Altona after which, he went to the former Williamstown Technical School.
His entrepreneurial career began at the age of 26 when he built a warehouse in Tennyson St, Williamstown, which he then leased to a major transport business.
The $19.5 million Whitten Oval redevelopment is being funded by the Federal Government’s $8 million, State Government $3 million, the Western Bulldogs Forever Foundation $5.25 million, the Australian Football League’s $1.5 million and Maribyrnong City Council’s $1 million with suppliers contributing $750,000.
Mr Howard said the redevelopment would not only be a magnificent new home for the Western Bulldogs but would also allow young people in the West to learn about Australian Rules Football.
“It will also provide facilities for other sports and for other physical activities and childcare centre, which will provide a general amenity for the district.”
