Work has started on the second-biggest capital works project ever undertaken in the Shire – the $16.5 million redevelopment of the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre in Greensborough.
This follows Council awarding the contract to complete the build to McCorkell Constructions.
The works will involve the demolition of an existing indoor court, the construction of four new indoor netball-compliant courts, a new double-storey administration/reception building, the refurbishment of the toilets and change rooms and works to ensure the building is fully accessible.
The project is being funded with $6 million from Council, $8 million from Sport and Recreation Victoria and $2.5 million from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning’s Growing Suburbs Fund.
Nillumbik Mayor Karen Egan said the project was the second-biggest capital works project undertaken in the Shire after the Eltham Leisure Centre.
“This is fantastic news for the thousands of people across the region who use this facility for basketball, netball, squash badminton, table tennis and dodgeball,” Cr Egan said.
“The redevelopment will provide a contemporary, fully accessible, fit-for-purpose regional sports stadium.
“The works are much needed and will bring the facility up to the expected standards.”
Blue Lake Ward Councillor and Inclusion Advisory Committee Chair Grant Brooker said he was pleased the long-awaited redevelopment would result in a facility that was truly accessible for everyone in the community including those with a disability.
“The Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre was built in 1976, and while it has undergone some minor upgrades, it is badly out of date.
“We did install a lift in the building last year, but much work needs to be done to make it fully accessible and compliant. It’s been a long journey, but it was better to do it right than do it quick.”
Works started this month with the opening ceremony scheduled for the first quarter of 2022.
The Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre, operated by Aligned Leisure on behalf of Council, is currently closed under COVID-19 restrictions.
Keep up to date on the progress and see a plan of the project here.
