Lara sporting precinct gets huge boost

LARA’s thriving sporting community has received a huge boost, with the City of Greater Geelong unveiling a new, accessibleand gender-neutral pavilion at the town’s sporting precinct on Mill Road.

The new pavilion adjoins two new netball and two redeveloped tennis courts and will create better opportunities for locals within the area to take part in a plethora of sports.

In addition, the project also includes the installation of LED sporting lights and construction of pedestrian access facilities and landscaping to provide better accessibility to the site at all times of the day.

The developments come thanks to a $2.35 million commitment from the City of Greater Geelong as well as $40,000 from the Victorian Government’s Local Sport Infrastructure Fund and Country Football and Netball Program.

Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan said the developments would provide fantastic opportunities to many local residents who are interested in playing netball and tennis. “There’s no question that the construction of a new, modern, accessible facility will be of enormous benefit to sportsmen and women across the Lara community and throughout the northern suburbs,” Mayor Sullivan said.

“Lara continues to grow at a rapid rate and facilities of this kind will consolidate the sports precinct as an appealing place to participate and socialise after the game.

“The tennis club has certainly outgrown the previous facility, so the new pavilion will provide a very attractive drawcard for the expanding sporting community.”

Member for Lara Ella George said the announcement was fantastic for the Lara tennis and netball clubs who will no doubt benefit from the new pavilion. “This new facility will benefit a growing number of people in the Lara community who want to get involved in their local netball and tennis clubs,” Ms George said.

“These facilities at Lara Recreation Reserve are a great example of how the State Government is making sport and recreation more accessible, welcoming and inclusive for all Victorians.

“I’m so proud that the State Government’s sports grants programs are giving communities like Lara the facilities they need so more locals can play the sports they love.”

According to the city, the existing Lara Tennis Club building on site, will, in time, undergo refurbishment and be used for storage alongside the new pavilion.