Ball rolling on sports hub

THE first stage of development of the Mercy Junortoun Sports Precinct is underway.

The new facility will see the a junior sporting hub built, alongside sports fields catering for cricket, Aussie rules, netball, soccer and basketball.

The $24.8 million project is a collaboration between Catherine McAuley College, Cricket Australia, Cricket Victoria, the Victorian Government and the City of Greater Bendigo.

“Shared use infrastructure provides facilities that can be actively used every day of the week during and after school hours,” said municipal health and wellbeing director Vicky Mason.

“The partnership reduces the need for duplication of sports field investment across both education and community sectors and it means the City’s $5.7 million contribution to both stages of the shared investment will support the College to construct a $24.8 million sporting and community precinct.

“The project highlights the City’s commitment to deliver infrastructure across the municipality that can be accessed by all residents.”

Catherine McAuley College principal Brian Turner said the new precinct will benefit the whole Junortoun community and beyond.

“The project will continue the implementation of the Coolock Campus Master Plan, following completion of the Sister Aloysius Martyn Arts Centre in January 2019, and initiate a long-term partnership between the College and the City in the provision of school, community and sporting facilities,” he said.

“The new facilities will usher in an exciting new sporting precinct for the College and the Junortoun community and will help to build an engaged, active and healthy community.

The first stage involves redeveloping the lower oval precinct and constructing an indoor complex and cricket hub.

Two ovals, cricket pitches and outdoor netball courts will be built, as well as pathways, training lights and an electronic scoreboard.

Inside, female friendly changerooms, storage areas, kitchen and first aid facilities, and an external viewing area will be built.