Grand plan for Lara

A GREAT part of being Chair of the Active Spaces portfolio is seeing the joy on people’s faces when new sporting facilities are opened for public use.

But as with all infrastructure projects, there is a lot of effort that goes into the preparation and planning of how these facilities will function.

This is where masterplans are so important, and why Council undertakes community engagement campaigns to get input from the public into what will go into the projects we help to fund.

Recently, work commenced on Stage Two of the Lara Recreation Reserve Masterplan, a vital piece of work set to serve the sporting interests of the Lara community.

I want to thank the Victorian government for its $1 million contribution to the project via the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR).

This support is crucial an greatly appreciated.

I also want to take this opportunity to say how proud I am of Council for contributing $4.545 million for a facility that promises to elevate the sporting and recreational experience for all Lara residents.

The project’s scope includes the construction of a sporting pavilion that will cater to baseball, football and cricket, as well as an extensive reconstruction of the baseball diamond.

It will encompass the design of future masterplan items, such as the formalisation of car parking facilities and future baseball field lighting.

Progress has already been made with early-services work completed, with the project on track for completion by the middle of next year.

My Epic Adventure

On a personal note, I am soon going to be embarking on what I am calling my epic midlife adventure.

I believe it is important to use my public platform to encourage others in the community to get healthy and active, and there are many ways this can be achieved in Greater Geelong.

Part of my adventure will include participating in major events across the region, while other components will take me abroad.

It will start next month when I run the New York Marathon.

This is an event I hope to see Geelong have in its own right at some point in the future.

The marathon community is inclusive and loves traveling to all corners of the world and it is the type of thing we could do extremely well here.

You only need to look at the success of the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race to see how quickly an idea can become reality.

The now world famous bike ride happens to be part two of my adventure, which will be held next January, and after that I will head to Nepal for what promises to be a life-changing experience completing the Mt Everest Base Camp trek.

This will see me climb to an elevation of 5,364 metres and get to take in nature in all its glory.

When I return, I will then take part in another major Geelong event, the 70.3 ironman triathlon.

It is a lot to take on, and I know it might not be everyone’s idea of a good time.

But I believe it has never been more important to be active and regardless of what level of fitness you are at or aspire to, there is something for everyone in Geelong when it comes to staying healthy and keeping fit.

As always, please feel free to contact me on 0455 532 006 to raise an issue, or reach out via the city’s website (geelongaustralia.com.au), via phone (03 5272 5272), via email ([email protected]) or via the City app.

Cr Eddy Kontelj

Brownbill Ward,

City of Greater Geelong