Council welcomes funding for Koo Wee Rup Recreation Reserve project
Explore Councils by state
Cardinia Shire Council has welcomed the Australian Government’s announcement of $1,208,000 in funding toward the Koo Wee Rup Recreation Reserve football/cricket pavilion redevelopment.
The funding was announced by Federal Member for McMillan, Russell Broadbent MP at Koo Wee Rup Recreation Reserve (30 Denhams Road) Tuesday afternoon.
Cardinia Shire Mayor Councillor Graeme Moore said Council was grateful to receive the funding, which would go toward redeveloping the Koo Wee Rup Recreation Reserve pavilion.
“We were very pleased to hear our recent grant application was approved by Sport and Recreation Victoria,” Cr Moore said.
“The pavilion at the Koo Wee Rup Recreation Reserve was built almost 50 years ago and is beloved by the Koo Wee Rup sporting community who have all worked hard to make the facility what it is today. However, it is in desperate need of a new pavilion and thanks to this funding, we will be able to deliver this project sooner rather than later.”
Fellow Port Ward Councillor Ray Brown, who attended the announcement, said Council had been consulting with the Koo Wee Rup sporting community for some time and this funding was welcome news to everyone involved.
“We consulted with the Koo Wee Rup Football Club, Cricket Club, and Reserve Committee, identifying a strong need for the new pavilion and gaining buy-in at the local level. We recognise the popularity of female participation in football is on the rise, and with this funding, we’ll now be able to deliver a facility that will satisfy the increasing demand for female-friendly facilities.
“Together with all stakeholders, we’re very excited to see what the future holds for the Koo Wee Rup Recreation Reserve,” Cr Brown said.
The project will be jointly funded with $892,000 from Council’s Capital Works Program 2019–20, $1,208,000 from the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund - Infrastructure Projects Stream, and an additional $400,000 from Sport and Recreation Victoria.
The $2.5m redevelopment will involve upgrading the existing pavilion to a universally accessible facility that will meet the needs of all genders, ages and abilities. Unisex umpires rooms, meeting room/office, a gym and a first-aid room will also be considered for inclusion at the design stage.
Council expects to commence the design and planning stage for this project in coming months. Following this, it is anticipated construction would commence by early-2020.