Two of Melbourne’s biggest grassroots sporting clubs, the Eltham Redbacks Football Club and the North Eltham Wanderers Cricket Club will soon have new facilities with pavilion works underway at Eltham North Reserve.
Minister for Sport John Eren today joined Member for Eltham Vicki Ward and representatives from both clubs to officially kick-start works on the new digs for the Wanderers and Redbacks, made possible thanks to $2 million from the Andrews Labor Government’s Community Sports Infrastructure Fund.
The new $4m+ pavillion has been a 10 year project in the making and has a $250,000 commitment from both the football club and cricket club, as well as $20,000 from the Scout Troop.
This is an example of all sports, community groups and Nillumbik Council working together for a great long time coming result to build a pavilion for the community.
With more than 1,000 members at both clubs, grassroots football and cricket at Eltham North Reserve is as popular as ever but the Redbacks and the Wanderers have been struggling to cater for the growing demand, especially from women and girls.
The Redbacks existing change rooms will be transformed into a bigger modern pavilion featuring two female-friendly change rooms, soccer social room, umpires change room, first aid room, accessible toilets, kitchen, administration room and storage facilities.
The Wanderers will also be moving into a new pavilion featuring the same facilities as the Redbacks with a cricket social room. Both clubs will be able to utilise each other’s change rooms in their respective seasons of competition.
The local First Eltham North Scouts Group will also enjoy improvements to the foyer, kitchen and toilets that service the community hall and modifications to the scouts hall and storage facilities.
Once complete, both new venues will significantly improve the environment for girls and women and provide both clubs greater flexibility in scheduling training and matches.
The upgraded scout hall and community hall will also be available for a range of uses to local community groups and the wider community.
Minister Eren acknowledged project partners Nillumbik Shire Council, Scouts Victoria and both clubs for their commitment and significant contribution to the project.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport John Eren
“For too long, the footballers and cricketers at Eltham North Reserve have been held back by poor facilities – we’re fixing that, so boys and girls in Eltham can play the sports they love.”
“Communities like Eltham deserve modern, safe facilities and our Community Sport Infrastructure Fund is rejuvenating ageing grounds and tired old pavilions to help clubs attract new members.”
Quote attributable to Member for Eltham Vicki Ward
“Grassroots sporting clubs in Eltham are experiencing unprecedented demand and these new pavilions will address the needs of those who use Eltham North Reserve.”