BUNGAREE’S $2.25 million community centre is proving a hit with sporting and community groups.
Football club president Darren Rix said the centre, in use since June 22, had been five years in the making.
The old facility was demolished last September and replaced with two new buildings.
One building includes a function room, meeting space and commercial kitchen and storage. The second is a dedicated sports facility, with changerooms, community health hub, and first-aid training and medical room. There’s also a new car park, netball and tennis courts.
“It’s being used flat-out,’’ Rix said. ‘‘There’s been something on there every weekend since it opened.”
The buildings were largely funded through a $1.1 million Moorabool council grant and $400,000 from the state government. Residents helped raise $100,000 to make up the football club’s share of the project.
“We have a strong community. People don’t mind putting in,” Rix said.
On Sunday, the new centre hosted a fund-raising match between Bungaree and Waubra, followed by a silent auction, to support junior footballer Mitch Prendergast, 17, as he undergoes chemotherapy for a brain tumour.
A gala opening night will be held this Saturday, August 3, featuring Sam Newman, Garry Lyon, James Brayshaw and Bungaree legend Danny Frawley. Tickets: 0418 365 818.
