Funding Boost for New Willow Grove Pavilion

Published on 09 August 2018

Willow Grove Recreation Reserve is set to receive a brand new multi-purpose pavilion thanks to a $710,000 funding boost announced today by the Victorian Government.

The funding has been secured through the Community Managed Places Program managed by the Department of Land, Environment, Water and Planning (DELWP) on behalf of the Latrobe Valley Authority (LVA) which shares $5 million across nine crown reserve projects in Gippsland.

The announcement was made by Stephen Chapple, Regional Director DELWP Gippsland and Andrew Waller, LVA Director Community Wellbeing and Worker Transition at an official event in Cowwarr earlier today. In attendance was Baw Baw Shire Mayor Joe Gauci, Latrobe City Mayor Cr Darrell White and Wellington Shire Mayor Cr Carolyn Crossley.

The new pavilion will include:

Mayor Joe Gauci thanked DELWP, with support from LVA, for their generous funding contribution that will deliver the new and dynamic facility for the Willow Grove community.

“This project is a huge win for Willow Grove who not only gain a brand new match day sports pavilion but also a multi-purpose community facility", said the Mayor.

“Local sports clubs will have access to new and much needed player and umpire amenities that are accessibility compliant and female-friendly which we hope will boost participation levels and player morale. Community groups such as the Lions Club and CFA will also have access to the new space for meetings and gatherings.

“Both sporting clubs and community groups are the heart and soul of regional communities and we’re so pleased to be able to deliver a facility that can encourage growth and ongoing participation into the future."

Baw Baw Shire East Ward Cr Michael Leaney said this is a very positive outcome for Willow Grove and the entire Tanjil Valley community.

"The recreation reserve at Willow Grove is used by teams from far and wide who will all benefit from these upgrades that enable them to compete in their chosen sport to the best of their ability”, said Cr Leaney.

The Mayor also commended the hard work and dedication of Council officers, Willow Grove Recreation Reserve Committee of Management and local sporting clubs who have worked tirelessly over the last 18 months to make this project a reality.

“It’s through our strong community partnerships that we can achieve important upgrades to grassroots infrastructure and we thank all our partners for their contributions”, said the Mayor.

The project totalling $800,000 is also being funded by Baw Baw Shire Council with potential for other external funding support to which the outcome is not yet known. Design works are ongoing with the tender expected to be prepared before the end of the year.

Image: Baw Baw Shire Mayor Cr Joe Gauci, Regional Director DELWP Gippsland Stephen Chapple, Wellington Shire Mayor Cr Carolyn Crossley, LVA Director Community Wellbeing and Worker Transition Andrew Waller and Latrobe City Mayor Cr Darrell White.

Image: Artist impression of the Willow Grove pavilion.