Overhaul starts at Rec Reserve

CAPITAL works at Harry Trott Kennington Recreation Reserve are underway, with a new pavilion the centrepiece of the upgrades.

Running to $4.9 million, the overhaul will see the removal of the current main building and construction of a new facility that includes change rooms, spectator viewing areas, community spaces and public toilets.

The project is a partnership between the State Government and the City of Greater Bendigo, and mayor Cr Jennifer Alden said the Rec Reserve’s 800 regular users would be big winners.

“The reserve is home to the Bendigo United Cricket Club and will support the full relocation of South Bendigo Football Netball Club from the QEO to Kennington as their new home increasing opportunities for Kennington to reconnect to football and netball,” she said.

“The project is a key action of the City’s Kennington Recreation Reserve Masterplan and it will enable football, netball and cricket clubs to expand their programs and increase participation opportunities.”

Of the four new change rooms set for the pavilion, two will be up to AFL and Cricket Australia standards, while the other two will be compliant with rules set by Netball Victoria.

Those new facilities include the addition of better change rooms for women using the spaces, and that could have flow-on effects for the organisations who make Harry Trott their home.

“The new female friendly designed facilities will enable the football and cricket clubs to expand their programs to target female participation in traditionally male dominated sports,” Cr Alden said.

“It will also increase the viability of the existing facility and open the door to increase user groups at the reserve.”

Other works at the site include a new carpark on Glencoe Street with a new pathway to the pavilion, and new road to the eastern side of the new building for emergency and vehicle access.

The municipality is the biggest contributor to the project at $2.9 million, while the State Government is putting in the remaining $2 million.

Work is expected to be complete by mid next year.