The Parliamentary Secretary for Sport, Danielle Green MP, joined the Council and members of the community to celebrate the completion of new netball change facilities and a major clubroom upgrade at Willaura Recreation Reserve.
Funded with a $390,000 grant from the Female Friendly Facilities Program, Cr Peter Beales highlighted that Council were able to win several extra improvements to the main pavilion as part of the project.
“Sport and recreation are the lifeblood of our rural towns, and this project is about making sure that women and girls have access to safe and inclusive facilities,” Cr Beales said.
“Originally designed to deliver the new netball rooms and an upgrade to the main pavilion toilets, Council were able to win a number of extra improvements in the project.
“The additional improvements mean that we could also deliver a new kitchen and bar, flooring, as well as replace the internal roof and structural walls in the pavilion.
“These improvements recognise that our rural sporting precincts don’t just services one club or sport, but they are social hubs for the entire town.”
CEO Dr Tim Harrison was pleased with the way the project had been managed, allowing the scope of the project to be expanded.
“Working with Eastick Homes, local subbies and suppliers, we were able to separate out the construction and fit-out with savings made re-invested in the project.
“The Willaura Reserve Committee worked with me every step of the way – allowing us to pivot and combine savings with some further investment from Council and the Reserve Committee to achieve a much better outcome for the community.”
Secretary Willaura Recreation Reserve Committee, Mr Ron Jenkinson thanked the Victorian Government and Council for their support toward the project.
“This project has been a great mix of the State Government, Council and the community working together,” Mr Jenkinson said.
“Dr Tim has been an absolute marvel in pulling it all together. With the entire upgrade delivered, this facility has several strings to its bow and will service the community for the next 50 years.”
The scope of work for the project delivered the new netball rooms and an internal upgrade of the main pavilion. The next stage of the project will see Council and the Willaura Recreation Reserve Committee, refresh and repaint the external pavilion.
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