Sports Resources > Latest sports news > December 2008 > 04/12/2008 - GREENSBOROUGH SCORES PAVILION UPGRADE

04/12/2008 - GREENSBOROUGH SCORES PAVILION UPGRADE

Players, members and supporters of the St Mary’s Greensborough Junior Football Club and the Riverside Cricket Club are set to benefit from a $250,000 Brumby Government grant to upgrade the Whatmough Park pavilion.

Sport and Recreation Minister James Merlino was joined by Member for Bundoora Colin Brooks MP at Whatmough Park to announce the funding boost as part of the Brumby Government’s Community Facilities Program.

“The Brumby Government is taking action to ensure all Victorian communities have the facilities they need to encourage healthy, active involvement in sport and recreation,’’ Mr Merlino said.

“This grant will be used to upgrade the pavilion building to include four unisex change rooms with disability access, new disability ramps at the main entry for greater accessibility, an additional meeting room and multi-purpose function space.

“Sports clubs like the St Mary’s Junior Football Club and the Riverside Cricket Club play an important role in bringing communities closer together and that’s why this announcement is so important.

“Our local sports facilities are vital to the strength and wellbeing of clubs and their communities and by improving the quality of those facilities we are also encouraging greater participation for all Victorians.’’

Mr Brooks welcomed the funding announcement saying it would provide a massive boost for these great local family clubs.

“Since its humble beginnings, Whatmough Park has grown to be one of the busiest football and cricket grounds in the area, with home clubs developing big followings,’’ Mr Brooks said.

“St Mary’s Greensborough Junior Football Club is the largest junior football club in Victoria with 29 teams, player numbers increasing from 488 in 2004 to a staggering 582 players in 2008 – these kids, their supporters and the community will make full use of the upgraded pavilion.

“The Brumby Government understands that supporting grassroots sport is one of the keys to building stronger and more liveable communities across the state.’’

In addition to the Brumby Government contribution Banyule City Council will contribute $400,000, AFL Victoria will contribute $50,000 and local user groups will contribute $390,050 towards the upgrade.

Since 2000, the Brumby Government has invested more than $170 million in more than 1800 community facility projects through the Community Facilities Funding Program.

As part of the re-development energy-saving lighting, a solar hot water system and water saving rain harvesting tanks will be installed.