The $8.9 million upgrade of Bacchus Marsh Racecourse Recreation Reserve is one step closer with plans revealed for a significant redevelopment.
Feedback is being sought on stage 2 plans to build a new Australian rules and cricket oval, two full-sized soccer pitches, two netball courts, two tennis hardcourts, a pavilion, parking and an all abilities adventure playground.
Stage 3 will see the development of a community oval, community pavilion and gravel overflow parking.
Moorabool council has allocated almost $5 million to the redevelopment, topped up by $4 million from the state government.
Located in the south of Maddingley, Bacchus Marsh Racecourse Recreation Reserve is home to the Bacchus Marsh Football Netball Club, Bacchus Marsh Cricket Club and Bacchus Marsh Soccer Club.
All clubs have experienced significant growth in recent years and the new facilities are expected to help them continue to grow into the future.
The site’s original master plan was adopted in 2015 following community and stakeholder consultation.
With stage one of the project concluding, Moorabool councillors voted at the recent council meeting to send stages two and three of the master plan out for further public feedback.
A council report noted that the plans retain the general layout of the field of play identified in the original master plan, but the road network is consolidated to remove separation between the junior and senior soccer pitches.
“A centralised carpark is provided for the AFL/cricket and soccer/cricket fields,” it states.
“The all abilities playground is relocated to the heart of the precinct, nestled between the main car park, main pavilion and wetland.
“The features of the playground are dispersed across 1.0 hectare of open parkland to create a broad open and uninhibited space which caters for the wider community.”
Feedback is open until October 11 via moorabool.engagementhub.com.au
Benjamin Millar
