The $3M second stage of the redevelopment of the main building at the Strathfieldsaye Community Hub, Club Court is now complete and will be officially opened by City of Greater Bendigo Deputy Mayor Cr Matt Evans at 3pm on Friday July 19.
City of Greater Bendigo Healthy Communities and Environments Director Stacy Williams said the City has worked closely with the user groups to develop a flexible building, with inclusive and accessible spaces that can be shared and utilised by a broad range of users and members of the community.
"The refurbishment works focused on providing facilities suitable for female sporting participants and modernising the building to meet today's standards and provide better connections to the wider precinct," Ms Williams said.
"Strathfieldsaye now boasts a multipurpose, inclusive and accessible hub that caters for a range of community functions and activities and the amenities required to support increased participation and access for all.
"The recently completed Stage Two works included the redevelopment of the remainder of the building, including club facilities to support the relocation of the Strathfieldsaye Bowls Club and 1st Strathfieldsaye Scout Group from their existing locations into the main building.
"They included an extension of the building to increase its visual connection to the bowling greens, refurbishment of social function spaces, new kitchen and canteen facilities, meeting, storage and office areas and new toilet facilities.
"Stage One was completed in 2022 and focused on providing female friendly facilities to cater for the growing number of female sporting participants. This first stage was funded by the City along with a $100,000 grant from the Victorian Government and contributions from Sedgwick Cricket Club and Colts United Football Club.
"The Stage Two works were undertaken over multiple financial years and were funded by the City of Greater Bendigo along with $250,000 from 1st Strathfieldsaye Scouts who received a Victorian Government grant.
"The City is still working to finalise Stage Three of the project which is all about improving the broader precinct. The final stage will include improvements to car parking, landscaping, pedestrian accessibility and additional sporting infrastructure so the space can be accessed and enjoyed by everyone in the community for a range of uses. While the final stage as a whole is unfunded and will be subject to future budget approvals, funding has been provided in the current financial year for the design of additional external sporting infrastructure."
The Strathfieldsaye Community Hub caters to a number of user groups with Colts United Football Club, Sedgwick Cricket Club, 1st Strathfieldsaye Scouts and Strathfieldsaye Bowls Club the primary tenants. Other users include Emu Creek Cricket Club, Strathfieldsaye Tennis Club and Strathfieldsaye Dodgers.
The facility is available for hire to the community through the primary tenant groups and the Committee of Management.
