Ribbon cut on Vic Park Pavilion

THE purpose-built Victoria Park Community Sports Pavilion is complete and has been handed over to its user groups.

With changing spaces for men, women, and referees, a canteen, social space, public toilets, and an office and storage area, the Military Drive facility was officially opened on Wednesday morning.

Victoria Park Football Club and Lucas Cricket Club are set to call the pavilion home, while other community groups including Ballarat Dog Obedience Club, Ballarat Disc Golf, and Ballarat-Sebastopol Cycling Club are also expected to use the space.

VPFC president Will Cousins said the pavilion is helping the club develop its image, attract new members, and offer a welcoming space for everyone.

“Without the appropriate funding, this club may well-and-truly have ceased to exist, with the then state of pitches, lack of lighting and appropriate changerooms significantly prohibiting our engagement, in particular, girls and women,” he said.

“The previous rooms had their own rough charm, but they saw the club go from having the equal highest participation rate of female footballers across the association, at all age groups, to nothing.

“It’s extremely important to be aware of the important role football can play by allowing a safe inclusive space, as well as gender equality, to help minimise the incredibly outdated gender gap.”

LCC president David Horwood said the pavilion, which is adjacent to redeveloped soccer fields and soon-to-be-completed cricket nets, is state-of-the-art.

“This has been a significant catalyst in re-energising our community cricket club, allowing us to grow our membership by 30 per cent,” he said.

“We expect to grow by another 25 per cent this season. It’s also allowed us to reintroduce and grow our junior cricket club, providing new opportunities for boys’ and girls’ cricket within the Lucas community.

“This pavilion is so much more than just simply a place to facilitate weekend sport, it represents a new era of cricket for the Lucas area, but more importantly, it symbolises a new beginning for our club.

“It is a centrepiece for the Lucas community to be proud of and to use as a means of forging lasting relationships… We are confident that it will result in greater participation and love for the game of cricket.”

The office space has also been designed to be an admin hub for major events held at Victoria Park, like the Spilt Milk music festival.

The project was funded with $5.2 million from the City of Ballarat, and $500,000 from the State Government.

Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence attended the handover and said the pavilion’s changerooms are a drawcard for women and girls.

“The numbers are going to grow because you’ve provided the facilities that mean girls are no longer having to contemplate… changing in the car, or not playing,” she said.

“They’ll knock on the door and be part of a club that can make them welcome.”