New Cricket Net Complex for Drouin

Published on 26 October 2018

Bellbird Park sports and recreation precinct is now home to a brand new dynamic five-pitch cricket net complex with the project officially opened to the community yesterday afternoon.

Deputy Mayor of Baw Baw Shire Cr Danny Goss was joined by Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing MP and Council's Director Community Assets Cohen Van der Velde to officially open the new complex.

West Ward Councillors Keith Cook and Jessica O’Donnell were also in attendance for the opening celebrations alongside representatives and players from the Drouin Cricket Club.

The project has seen removal of existing wickets at Bellbird Park and construction of five new pitches; four for club use and one to remain open for the community to access.

The fully-fenced complex includes dynamic features such as retractable dividing nets, heavy duty synthetic turf, rubber matting to protect balls and a weatherproof electrical outlet for bowling machines.

Additionally, project works extended to Drouin Recreation Reserve where old wickets were removed, and a new community-use pitch was constructed.

Overall, the $223,000 project at both locations has been funded by a $144,450 contribution from Baw Baw Shire Council and a $78,550 grant secured through the Victorian Government’s Sports and Recreation Victoria department.

"This project has been a real collaboration between Council, the Victorian Government, Drouin Cricket Club and Bellbird Park Committee of Management who were heavily involved in planning and design. We thank all project partners for their contribution to local cricket and grassroots sport in Baw Baw."

“The new complex will provide players, coaches and keen cricketers in our community with access to better training facilities just in time for the summer cricket season.”

“The expansion from three to five practice nets and improved features will help local clubs cater for current demand and future growth. The retractable nets and synthetic turf will allow flexibility in the enclosure and help local clubs continue to evolve and develop.”

“Local sporting clubs are the heartbeat of our community and we’re so pleased to help deliver a great new facility for the Drouin Cricket Club.”

“The club is very happy with the new complex that will provide more dynamic training facilities for players and allow the club to cater for continued growth and development. We thank Baw Baw Shire Council for working closely with us to deliver a fantastic result for players, coaches and the community.”

Image: Harriet Shing MP, Deputy Mayor Cr Danny Goss and Director Community Assets Cohen Van der Velde.

Image: Harriet Shing MP and Deputy Mayor Cr Danny Goss.

Image: West Ward Cr Jessica O'Donnell, Deputy Mayor Cr Danny Goss, Harriet Shing MP, Drouin Cricket Club President Kym Osseweyer and West Ward Cr Keith Cook.

Image: Cutting the ribbon to officially open the new five-net cricket training facility.