The City of Greater Bendigo in partnership with the Victorian Government has commenced work on the construction of a $4.9M redevelopment of the Harry Trott Kennington Recreation Reserve in Neale Street, Kennington.
The project includes demolition of the existing pavilion and construction of a new pavilion that meets todays building and accessibility standards, complete with female friendly change rooms, social facilities for shared use by a range of user groups, improved landscapes, additional car parking and spectator viewing areas.
City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Jennifer Alden said this is an exciting project that will cater for over 800 players and provide improved facilities for the wider community.
"The reserve is home to the Bendigo United Cricket Club and will support the full relocation of South Bendigo Football Netball Club from the QEO to Kennington as their new home increasing opportunities for Kennington to reconnect to football and netball," Cr Alden said.
"The project is a key action of the City's Kennington Recreation Reserve Masterplan and it will enable football, netball and cricket clubs to expand their programs and increase participation opportunities.
"The new female friendly designed facilities will enable the football and cricket clubs to expand their programs to target female participation in traditionally male dominated sports.
"It will also increase the viability of the existing facility and open the door to increase user groups at the reserve."
The new pavilion will include:
- Four change rooms and associated player amenities (two compliant with AFL and Cricket Australia standards, two compliant with Netball Victoria standards)
- First aid/massage room/all abilities change room, umpire room with dedicated facilities for male and female use.
- Public amenities with internal and external access
- Social/Community function and meeting space, Kiosk and kitchen along with meeting room/administration office, storage for tenant groups and back of house facilities
- Spectator area for viewing the oval and netball courts
- External storage to support netball and oval sports activities
Other works include:
- Construction of car park at Glencoe Street
- Construction of an accessible pathway from the car park to the pavilion
- Construction of a shared use zone for vehicle access to the eastern side of the pavilion for deliveries and emergency vehicles.
The project will build on previous improvements already undertaken by the City at the reserve including the redevelopment of the tennis courts to accommodate netball and tennis, installation of court and oval lighting, tree protection, landscaping, installation of a new oval scoreboard and the development of a master plan for the site.
This is a $4.9M project funded by a $2.9 million contribution from the City of Greater Bendigo and $2 million from the Victorian Government Department of Sport and Recreation Victoria.
The City has awarded a tender to Franklin and Walsh Builders to undertake the works which are expected to be completed in mid-2022.
