Torquay's Spring Creek Recreation Reserve's facilities will soon become more female-friendly with an architect appointed for the redevelopment of the change rooms and public toilets.
Designs are underway, which will provide gender-neutral shower and toilet cubicles to better accommodate all football and cricket players. The project also includes the redevelopment of the pavilion's public toilets to include accessible and unisex spaces.
Surf Coast Shire Council received $700,000 from the Australian Government for the project, as well as a $75,000 grant from the AFL's Australian Football Facilities Fund.
Once designs are finalised and the project is tendered, works are expected to begin later this year and be completed early next year.
Federal Member for Corangamite Libby Coker said:
"This is a fantastic investment in our community, ensuring that our local sports facilities are inclusive and accessible for everyone, regardless of gender."
"By providing modern and suitable facilities, we are helping to break down barriers and encourage more people, especially women and girls, to participate in sports – it will be an awesome outcome for the Torquay Tigers. This is a step forward for our region, and I'm proud to support this project."
Surf Coast Shire Cr Liz Pattison said:
"With more females and juniors taking part in sports like cricket and footy, it's so important that clubs have fit for purpose facilities that are welcoming and accessible for all."
"We want to do all we can to encourage participation and to find solutions to the obstacles to commencing and continuing with sport, which is what this upgrade is all about. These works are essential for the clubs, and I am so happy that designs are underway."
Torquay Tigers women's senior football player Kahliah Zois said:
"At the moment I don't think half of us would shower in the change rooms after the game. So we're looking forward to a safer, equal, more comfortable environment for all."
Torquay Tigers women's senior cricket captain Ali Villani said:
"This will help create an environment that's safer for all genders and promotes inclusion of all people across all codes of sport."
