NEW SPORT PAVILION SHAPING UP FOR YARRA BEND PARK

Local sporting clubs in Melbourne’s inner-north are one step closer to having a new home, with works progressing off-site on a new shared-use pavilion for Yarra Bend Park on Wurundjeri Country.

With the pavilion now around two-thirds completed, you can almost hear the cheers of match-winning netballers, footballers and cricketers inside!

The modular-style pavilion is part of an eagerly anticipated project which will see an under-utilised section of Fairlea Reserve activated with eight new netball courts complete with competition lighting, and a new pavilion for the local netball, fly fishers, football and cricket teams.

The pavilion is being manufactured off-site in Portarlington with installation to commence at Fairlea Reserve in the Yarra Bend Park in the coming months. Modern facilities will include meeting rooms and gender appropriate change rooms, as well as bike racks, landscaping and pathways.

By opting for a pre-fabricated, modular-style building, the majority of the pavilion can be built off-site, meaning a reduced impact on the park and a smaller overall footprint. It also means there will be a shorter on-site build time and less disruption to the community and visitors to Fairlea Reserve.

The new facilities will create more opportunities for women’s and junior level sport at the precinct, while offering a diversity of sport options for the community to enjoy.

The courts will be available for school and public use outside training and competition hours, with one of the courts line-marked for both basketball and netball.

Works commenced in October 2021 on the new netball courts and pavilion, thanks to an $8 million investment from the Andrews Labor Government.

Construction is expected to be completed during winter 2022, subject to on-ground condition and any public health directions that may be in place.   

For more information on the project and funding program, visit parks.vic.gov.au/projects or sport.vic.gov.au

Quotes attributed to Kat Theophanous, Member for Northcote

“It’s great to see the pavilion works coming along for this project. It won’t be too much longer until our sports clubs will be inside getting ready for training and matches – and celebrating their wins with their team mates!”

“My community is passionate about sport and these brand new facilities are going to make it easier for more locals to get involved in a safe, welcoming and modern environment.”

1 February 2022