$2.2m upgrade opens new era at Collendina

TWO local clubs are set to reap the rewards of new inclusive, modern and accessible facilities at Collendina Reserve.

Home to the Ocean Grove Cobras Football Club and Collendina Cricket Club, the upgraded reserve is expected to create more opportunities for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to participate in community sport.

The $2.2m project included new player amenities, universal toilets, improved kitchen facilities and expanded social spaces to support local sporting clubs and the wider community.

For the Collendina Cricket Club, the upgrades also mark a return home after spending the past year training and playing matches at nearby Memorial Reserve while works were completed.

Club president Neale Walter said the project had been a long time coming for members.

“It’s been a long wait, but it’s finally really great to have a project set to benefit the club and other users of the reserve,” he said.

“It means so much to us to be back at our home base, able to hold our own functions, entertain on the deck and get families and partners back into the club.”

Ocean Grove Cobras Football Club president Suze McLeish said the new facilities would also provide an important gathering place for players, families and volunteers.

“These new facilities provide a welcoming new home for our players, families and volunteers to come together,” she said. “There’ll be lots of great memories made here in the coming years.

“We see this project as a significant investment in local sport and our Ocean Grove community, an important collaboration between council, state and federal funding.

“We’re so appreciative to all whose support, vision and hard work helped bring this project to life.”

Walter said the upgraded facilities would put Collendina Cricket Club in a strong position heading into the 2026–27 season.

“Cricket is tough these days, and there’s very limited downtime from the football season,” he said.

“We lose a few players to football and other commitments every year, but we’ve still got a really strong junior program.

“It’s all systems go ahead of training in the next few weeks and games getting underway in a couple of months.”

The project was supported by funding from all three levels of government, including about $980,000 from the City of Greater Geelong, $642,000 from the Victorian government and $580,000 from the federal government.