Basketballers, netballers, cricketers, and footballers are just some of the local sportspeople set to benefit from today’s Coalition Government announcement of a $629,400 funding boost towards upgrading the change rooms at the Gordon Street Recreation Reserve, Heyfield.  

Minister for Sport and Recreation Hugh Delahunty was joined by Member for Gippsland East Tim Bull and Wellington Shire Council Mayor, Cr Scott Rossetti, at the venue today to announce the funding as part of a facility funding package to build better facilities for local people across the State.  

“The Gordon Street Recreation Reserve is a much-loved community asset in the Heyfield district and it’s vital that we maintain it as a hub for all things sport,” Mr Bull said.  

“By providing funding to upgrade the Gordon Street Reserve, we’re delivering high quality community facilities that encourage local people to play the sports they love for many years to come.

“The Coalition Government is committed to investing in sustainable infrastructure that makes a difference to local people,” Mr Bull said.  

Specifically, the upgrade will involve: •    Redeveloped football/cricket change rooms •    New umpires change facilities and amenities •    New change facilities for netball and stadium users •    Extend the existing multi-purpose room to allow for a meeting room, office and administration space, and sufficient multipurpose space to cater for large functions/events •    Redeveloped kitchen and servery •    New accessible public toilets and shower facilities for reserve users •    New entrance passageway linking the basketball stadium and football/netball facilities

Wellington Shire Council, Mayor, Cr Scott Rossetti, said it’s important to Council that our facilities meet the needs of our community.

“In recent years, numbers of residents making use of the aging facilities at Gordon Street Recreation Reserve, in particular, the multi-purpose room, have increased significantly.

“Therefore, redevelopment of this Recreation Reserve will help us meet both current demands, and future demands. Council is fully supportive of this project, and thanks both the community and the Coalition Government’s Community Facility Funding Program for enabling the community’s vision for Gordon Street to go ahead,” Mr Rossetti said.

“The improvements will be welcomed by Heyfield’s many football, cricketers, netballers, and basketballers, as well as coaches and umpires, who will be able to enjoy new change room facilities.  

“Importantly, the project will feature more accessible toilets and showers and an extension of the multipurpose community space to ensure even more people can enjoy the reserve,” Mr Delahunty said.  

The Coalition Government’s funding for the project is from the latest round of grants under the Community Facility Funding Program.  Mr Bull thanked Wellington Shire Council for providing $669,600 along with $50,000 from the Gordon Street Recreation Reserve Committee of Management towards the $1.349 million project.

“This project is the result of engagement with the local sport and recreation groups, State Sporting Organisations, schools and emergency services to ensure these new facilities best serve the needs of the reserve users,” Mr Bull said.

For more information about the Community Facility Funding Program go to www.sport.vic.gov.au