Kicking off the season with a new amenities building
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The Balgowlah Suns Junior AFL Club is ready and raring for the 2020 season since Council handed over the keys to a brand new amenities building at Balgowlah Oval.
With 400 kids aged between 5 and 16 waiting for COVID-19 restrictions to lift so they can start their season, club officials are well prepared for whatever the season brings. The storage sheds are being filled and the canteen stocked.
The Suns President Haydn Sheehan got this project off the ground in 2019 after lobbying AFL, Council and the State Government for funds. Following extensive consultation and collaboration with the community and stakeholders, the building was designed and a new modular building was pre-fabricated off-site, craned in, and constructed quickly over just a couple of months.
“It’s amazing! I got the keys and we walked in and I was blown away at the size, quality, and ultimately about what it means for the club and our growth moving forward,” Mr. Sheehan said.
The public toilet facilities are open to the whole community who will enjoy them for years to come. They replace a very small and old building that was demolished to make way for this one.
The growing number of female players will particularly benefit as the lack of access to change facilities, has been addressed with two equal-sized change rooms.
The new building includes two change rooms with toilet and shower facilities, additional storage space for the sports clubs, an umpire’s room, a small canteen and separate public toilets including male, female and accessible.
Council thanks not only the Suns, but the whole community for their time and input into the community consultation. The participation and interest of the community has enabled Council to deliver a high-quality facility that will be enjoyed by a large number of residents for years to come.
While COVID-19 restrictions prevented a bigger community opening, it was great to have Mayor Michael Regan, Member for Manly James Griffin and representatives of the Suns who will benefit from this amazing new facility together to mark the occasion.