UPGRADES to Kennington Recreation Reserve have been declared complete after a ribbon cutting event last week.<\/p>\n
The $4.9 million in works was a jointly funded project between the City of Grater Bendigo and the State Government.<\/p>\n
Improvements at the reserve include the redevelopment of the pavilion with four new changerooms and an extra female safe\/ all abilities space, spectator viewing areas for both football and netball, and social rooms.<\/p>\n
Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said the capital upgrades would benefit a range of users of the park.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reserve is home to the Bendigo United Cricket Club and the redevelopment has supported the full relocation of South Bendigo Football Netball Club from the Queen Elizabeth Oval to Kennington,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been an important project because the reserve caters for over 700 players and provides improved facilities for the wider community.\u201d<\/p>\n
With $2 million for the works coming from the State Government, Deputy-Premier and Member for Bendigo East, Jacinta Allen, said the upgrades could increase the numbers of women playing sport.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt means the user clubs will have the ability to expand their programs, develop more junior teams and target female participation,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt also supports the demand for sporting facilities to cater for growing sports participation rates.\u201d<\/p>\n
One player set to benefit from the works was South Bendigo FNC netballer Carissa Brook.<\/p>\n
She said the completed upgrades would have positive effects on and off the court.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fact is, for our club, we\u2019re all more unified,\u201d she said. \u201cWe actually have a space where we\u2019re together, we\u2019re not separated from each other, and it just brings up so many more opportunities for the club.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s going to allow us to expand so much more and the development this will create is just amazing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been at the QEO [Queen Elizabeth Oval] and obviously that facility is amazing, but to be able to have our own space here where we have or own change rooms\u2026 just seeing the viewing area we have, we\u2019ve never had seating or anything like that before.\u201d<\/p>\n
As well as upgrades to the pavilion and netball court, other works included adding a new carpark, improved emergency vehicle access, walking paths and landscaping.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
UPGRADES to Kennington Recreation Reserve have been declared complete after a ribbon cutting event last week. The $4.9 million in works was a jointly funded project between the City of Grater Bendigo and the State Government. Improvements at the reserve include the redevelopment of the pavilion with four new changerooms and an extra female safe\/ […]<\/p>\n