Community sport continues its winning streak in Nillumbik with the official opening of the new Eltham Central Pavilion - a $3.56 million redevelopment.
The upgrade includes four new change rooms for males and females with showers and toilets, male and female umpire facilities, a first aid room, gym area, and public toilets.
The social building has been completely revamped with an extended social room with bar, kitchen, offices and accessible toilets.
The project was funded through a $2.36 million commitment from Nillumbik Shire Council, and $1.2 million from the Victorian Government - $800,000 through its Growing Suburbs Fund and $400,000 through Sport and Recreation Victoria.
The pavilion is home to the Eltham Football Club, Eltham Junior Football Club, Eltham Cricket Club and the U3A.
The new pavilion was officially opened by Nillumbik Mayor Karen Egan and Eltham MP Vicki Ward, representing the Minister for Local Government and Minister for Community Sport, together with Deputy Mayor Peter Clarke, Councillors John Dumaresq and Peter Perkins and representatives of the clubs and U3A.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the event was held virtually.
Cr Egan said the new pavilion was a fantastic facility for the clubs and the broader community to enjoy.
"Particularly pleasing is the fact that this redevelopment helps address the need for facilities that cater to the growing numbers of women participating in sport," Cr Egan said.
"It's a perfect example of Council's commitment to delivering for the community and it ability to collaborate with other levels of government in order to do so."
Edendale Ward Councillor John Dumaresq said the completion of the new pavilion had been keenly anticipated by the local clubs, who were keen to put it to good use as soon as the easing of COVID-19 restrictions allowed.
"This fantastic new pavilion caters to a diversity of user groups and will be an invaluable community asset. I would like to thank the Victorian Government for the funding support to enable this project to proceed," Cr Dumaresq said.
Deputy Mayor and Wingrove Ward Councillor Peter Clarke said Council's investment in improving sports facilities across the Shire was vital to the health and wellbeing of the community.
"This new pavilion will help the clubs grow their membership, encourage more children and adults alike to participate in sport and healthy activity, and provide a fantastic meeting place.
Chair of Council's Social Infrastructure Portfolio, Cr Peter Perkins, said the new pavilion was yet another milestone in a big year for sporting infrastructure delivery in the Shire.
"This is the latest of a number of modern, fully accessible sports facilities we've completed this year, for the community to enjoy. In addition we also have a number of other major projects in progress, including extension to the Diamond Creek Trail, the Diamond Creek Netball Pavilion and the major upgrade to the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre," Cr Perkins said.
"I would like to thank the State Government and local MPs Vicki Ward and Danielle Green for their strong support of these projects."
