Sporting project master plan to transform facilities

With local winter leagues wrapping up, we’re now in that small window between sporting seasons.

But while clubs are either vacating or moving in to our shared facilities, our teams remain hard at work in delivering new and upgraded spaces for use all-year round.

The Lara Recreation Reserve Master Plan is among the biggest sporting projects in the region.

There’s great progress being made on the various stages of the master plan, which will transform the way people access and use the various facilities.

The current focus is building a new multi-use pavilion for the netball and tennis clubs.

It includes two new netball and two new tennis courts, sports lighting and equipment.

The $2.75 million project is being delivered with $2.35m from the Council, and $400,000 from the Victorian Government.

The pavilion structure and veranda concrete slab is down, with internal framing and exterior cladding underway.

All going well, the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.

Planning for the next stage of the master plan has been completed, with the concept ticked off by stakeholders.

This phase is fully funded by council, with $4.5 million allocated to a new pavilion that will service baseball, cricket and football.

It also includes a new baseball field, baseball training shed and formalised car parking.

Design work is now underway, with construction to follow in the middle of next year.

Securing $4 million in funding to deliver of the next stage the master plan, including the proposed Lara Tan walking/running track, is among council’s key priorities.

These key priorities are initiatives we are committed to, but will require support from all levels of government.

Our priorities include:

• Funding to deliver the You Yangs and Serendip Sanctuary Precinct Master Plan, to enhance its status as an enviable tourism attraction;
• Delivery of the Western Rail Plan, including planning for a dedicated rail station at Avalon on the Geelong to Melbourne line, linking to Avalon Airport; and
• A public transport connection from Lara Station to Avalon Airport.

The future looks bright at Corio Bay Sports Club, with the installation of lighting at the Cobras’ home base, Evans Reserve.

Evans Reserve is one of seven sports venues in Greater Geelong to receive new lighting.

We’re thankful for a $2.5 million injection from the Victorian Government, with council covering 10 per cent of the total cost.

The upgrades are all about extending the playing and training opportunities for local clubs, and catering for their desired growth.

Corio Bay Sports Club already fields senior men’s and women’s teams in soccer, and a men’s team in cricket. Their vision for next season is to have several junior teams.

It is very exciting that this coming season they will have a women’s senior cricket team take the field for the first time.

The lights will enable players to train safely into the evening, and provide another level of comfort and safety for the general community.

If you haven’t already, I recommend dog lovers revisit the Lara Dog Park soon.

The park is back in action after a range of refurbishments and upgrades.

Recent works included:

• Partial concreting of paths and entrances to make the path more accessible for those using mobility scooters or wheelchairs;
• Maintenance of garden beds and walkways; and
• Improved drainage at the drink tap / dog fountain.

You and your furry friend will love it!

Lastly, the council group is excited about the return of community-based Council meetings next week, this time in Lara.

Come along to Lara Hall from 5.45pm next Tuesday, to either us ask a question or to hear more about what is happening in the local area.

I’m looking forward to joining Councillor Anthony Aitken in providing an overview of some of the great initiatives we are delivering in the Windermere Ward.

If you can’t join us in person, please jump online and watch the livestream at www.geelongaustralia.com.au/meetings

Cr Kylie Grzybek