Key milestone achieved for community facility in Bellbird Park.
Explore Councils by state
Published on 09 December 2021
Works on a vibrant multi-use community facility at Drouin’s Bellbird Park have achieved a key milestone with the tender awarded to Langden Constructions Pty Ltd and construction scheduled to begin.
Two years in planning, the $4.1 million project will reinvigorate Bellbird Park with a new female friendly multi-use pavilion for users of the park’s eastern section including hockey, soccer, and cricket clubs, local schools and community groups.
Designed with wider community use and events in mind, the facility will include commercial kitchen facilities, audio-visual equipment, flexible room configurations and the construction of a new carpark and drop-off zone.
The project plans were designed in collaboration with a Project Reference Group (PRG) that included representatives from local sporting clubs and community members.
As part of the PRG-supported plans, the site’s existing buildings - including the Rumble Pavilion - had been slated for demolition as a component of redevelopment works.
However, following the presentation of 250-signature petition in support of retaining the Rumble Pavilion for community use, Council has moved to reconsider its demolition pending further study. A report considering the existing building’s proposed community uses and the costs associated with its refurbishment and retention will be presented to Council no later than April 2022.
With the tender for the multi-use pavilion now awarded, works on this exciting community facility are scheduled to get underway.
First stage works will comprise the construction of the new carpark and are scheduled to begin in January 2022. Second stage works, which comprise construction of the new multi-use community facility itself, will follow.
This project is being delivered in partnership with the Victorian Government, with Council contributing $2 million and the Victorian Government contributing $2 million from its Growing Suburbs Fund.
Quotes attributable to Mayor Cr Michael Leaney
“I’m so happy that we’ve awarded the tender for this fabulous $4.1 million multi-use facility. I’d like to thank the PRG, Council officers and everyone involved in getting the project to this shovel ready stage.
This pavilion has really been designed as a multi-purpose space with community events in mind and I just can’t wait to see it come to life.
Council understands the community has some concerns about the status of the Rumble Pavilion on the site. We have taken that on board and will defer a decision until there’s a bit more clarity on the costs and impacts involved.
One thing that is certain, however, is the incredible enhancement this new multi-use facility will bring to Bellbird Park and the benefits it will bring to all the groups that use it. It’s such a great outcome for Drouin and the wider community.”
Quotes attributable to Deputy Mayor Cr Annemarie McCabe
“I wasn't a member of Council when the recommendation was made to include demolition of Rumble Pavilion in the plans for this new facility. But as a member of the current Council, I think it’s wonderful that we have shown a willingness to take the community’s feedback onboard and carefully consider the options with their concerns in mind.
Providing the best outcomes for our community is what this Council is all about, and that’s what this project is all about.
This new pavilion offers so much. For the soccer, cricket and hockey clubs based here you have female friendly facilities, four change rooms, three storage spaces, two umpire rooms, two canteens, as well as an office space and first aid room.
For the wider community it will provide a meeting and function space, a commercial kitchen, servery and accessible toilets. Add a new car park and drop off zone and this pavilion has it all. I’m delighted that a tender has been awarded and we can see it move forward.”
Quotes attributable to Cr Tricia Jones
“I am excited that the multi-use pavilion is now in our sights and is scheduled to begin construction. This facility and its amenity will be a dream come true for the soccer, cricket and hockey clubs – as well as the wider community.
I want to acknowledge and thank the Project Reference Group which met regularly to discuss the needs and aspirations for such an important piece of community infrastructure. Their contribution has been absolutely key to its development.
I am likewise glad that as a Council we’ve been able to take the wider community’s thoughts on board and consider their concerns as part of this process.”