Feedback wanted on Golden Square Recreation Reserve discussion paper

The City of Greater Bendigo is inviting members of the community to have their say on a Discussion Paper featuring five options for the future of Golden Square Recreation Reserve in Wade Street at https://www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/Your-Say by June 17, 2020.

City of Greater Bendigo Active and Healthy Lifestyles Manager Lincoln Fitzgerald said the Golden Square Recreation Reserve provides facilities for Australian Rules football, netball and cricket and includes the Golden Square Swimming Pool.

“The reserve is located within a precinct that also includes the Golden Square Bowls and Croquet Club, the Bendigo Creek Trail and Golden Square Primary School,” Mr Fitzgerald said.

“The Discussion Paper identifies the key challenges facing the Golden Square Recreation Reserve and its user groups and proposes five potential development options. The reserve is currently landlocked with poor integration between the current users. Its facilities don’t meet current standards and need to be renewed and additional facilities are required to meet growing sport participation demands. In addition, there is also community pressure for retaining or replacing the swimming pool with other community facilities.”

“It’s important that any decision on the future development of the reserve considers the proposed vision for the site, which is a community sport and recreation hub providing a range of participation opportunities for all of the community so that it is a place for formal sport, social and family gatherings, unstructured play and activity and community events.”

The five options are:

Option 1 – Retain the Golden Square Swimming Pool and relocate the Golden Square Bowls and Croquet Club

Option 2 – Replace the Golden Square Swimming Pool with other community facilities

Option 3 – Replace the Golden Square Swimming Pool (with other community facilities) and relocate the Golden Square Bowls and Croquet Club

Option 4 – Develop Bacchus Oval Reserve as Golden Square’s main senior sports facilities

Option 5 – Do nothing and work within the existing confines of the reserve, upgrading facilities where possible, but not including additional facilities.

“While the City owns the built assets on the reserve including the swimming pool, the bowls facility is owned and managed privately by the Golden Square Bowls and Croquet Club.

“The Golden Square Swimming Pool is now managed by the Golden Square Swimming Pool Committee and the Golden Square Football and Netball Club, Golden Square Junior Football Club and Golden Square Cricket Club have seasonal tenancy agreements for use of the sports reserve. Golden Square Primary School book the use of the sports oval and swimming pool.

“The user groups have a long-standing relationship and use of the reserve and all groups have contributed respectfully to the planning process by identifying challenges and their current and future needs. The users have collectively contributed ideas for improvements that have helped inform the development options for the Master Plan.

“The City is now asking interested residents to have their say by viewing the Discussion Paper and filling out a survey online at https://www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/Your-Say by June 17, 2020.

“The information collected will be used to inform the development of a final Master Plan for the reserve for the Council’s consideration.”

/Public Release. View in full here.