New lease of life for Bungaree reserve

RESIDENTS hope a $2.3 million development at Bungaree Recreation Reserve will herald a new era in local sport.

Reserve committee secretary Paul Elliott says new facilities including changerooms, a community health club space, medical rooms, office space and a commercial kitchen could attract new clubs to the reserve.

There’s also hope it could revive a long-defunct club.

“Bungaree Cricket Club disbanded some 20 years ago through a lack of numbers, but perhaps this new facility might spark some interest,” Mr Elliott said.

“The old nets are gone and the pitch is no longer there, so a lot of work would need to be done if there was some interest for a new cricket club.”

Bungaree Football Club president Darren Rix said a combination of good management and hard work by the community had helped raise $100,000 for the club’s share of the project. “This has been five years in the making,” Rix said. “We have a strong community. People don’t mind putting in.”

Players change in old World War II army huts. It’s hoped new changerooms will help entice new players and supporters. “I think we’re the second-oldest football club in the [Central Highlands] league. All the other clubs have new facilities, so we’re trying to catch up,” he said.

Largely funded through a $1.1million grant from Moorabool Council and $400,000 from the government, the new centre will serve sports and community groups.

Mayor Pat Griffin said it would be the largest sports facility in the area.

Construction begins in September.