Club bowled over by new rooms

BENDIGO United Cricket Club’s community was invited on a tour of the new club rooms at Kennington Reserve last Friday.

The facilities, which were opened late last month, were the result of nearly $5 million in funding between the State Government and the City of Greater Bendigo, and include a social room, kitchen, unisex and umpire changerooms, an office, first aid storage and score room.

Bendigo United Cricket Club vice-president Chris Tuohey said the group’s new home is a huge improvement.

“The previous rooms were built around 1978, 1980. Back in those days they weren’t too bad, but they never got looked at,” he said.

“We had a canteen, two changerooms and a meeting room built by the club. That was it, and nothing ever got done to it, so it became very stale.

“They were in a lot of disrepair, very old and ragged. Probably the worst in Bendigo at that stage. Now we’ve got the best.”

Bendigo United Cricket Club’s 120 players – 40 seniors and 80 juniors – will share the facilities with South Bendigo Football Netball Club, who’ve relocated from Queen Elizabeth Oval.

Mr Tuohey said the recreation reserve’s overhaul has been well-received and that he’s excited for the rest of the community to experience it.

“The response to the new rooms has been absolutely sensational. Everyone’s really rapt that we’ve got this,” he said.

“We’re very excited about showing the place off even more once the new cricket season starts.”