Benjamin Millar
A new multipurpose community sport pavilion at Melton Recreation Reserve will be fast-tracked for completion following state government support to secure a $3.3 million loan to Melton council.
The pavilion redevelopment, due to be completed by the end of next year, will cater for football, cricket and netball use.
The project will be funded through the 2020-21 Community Sports Infrastructure Loans Scheme, which provides low-interest, government-guaranteed loans of between $500,000 and $10 million to councils, clubs, associations, educational institutions and facility managers to develop high-quality community sport and active recreation infrastructure.
The state government also makes interest subsidy payments that effectively halve the interest paid by borrowers.
The new building at Melton Recreation Reserve will replace the existing pavilion and will include female friendly change rooms, umpires rooms, community social space, meeting room, kitchen, and kiosk.
The pavilion will be located along the northern wing of the oval in a more centralised location to provide optimal viewing of the sportsground.
Melton mayor Kathy Majdlik said the low-cost loan had enabled council to bring the much-needed upgrade forward in its capital works program.
“This is a project council was eager to deliver and to be able to fast track it with this generous support from the state government is a fantastic outcome,” Cr Majdlik said.
“It not only means that we can complete this facility sooner and minimise costs, it also means we can support jobs and the local economy with another key development project.”
Cr Majdlik said the new pavilion has been designed to meet the needs of current and future user groups, with a particular focus on creating a welcoming facility for everyone.
“Facilities like this make a major difference in providing opportunities for more women and juniors to play sport, and for clubs and community groups to continue to grow.”
Works on the Melton Recreation Reserve pavilion redevelopment are expected to begin late this year and be complete by late 2022.
