Spring spend: Asher commits $1.95m to Spring Creek Reserve projects

THE Liberals will fund about half the cost of two major projects in Spring Creek Reserve that will have significant benefits for sport and community groups if they win next month’s federal election.

Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg joined Liberal candidate for Corangamite Stephanie Asher and Victorian Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson to announce a re-elected Morrison Government would commit $1.25 million towards the $2.5 million Spring Creek Community Hub and $700,000 towards the $1.3 million upgrade of facilities at the Spring Creek Reserve pavilion.

To be located next to the tennis courts at the east side of the reserve, the Spring Creek Community Hub will be a dedicated home for several local community organisations including the Torquay Community Men’s Shed, Surf Coast Tennis Club, Danawa Community Garden, Lions Club of Torquay and Rotary Club of Torquay.

The Morrison Government says it would deliver the projects in partnership with the Torquay Football and Netball Club and the Surf Coast Shire.

The Spring Creek Reserve upgrades will see the existing changerooms upgraded to become female-friendly and the canteen relocated into an upgraded spectators’ facility next door, which would also include an elevated timekeepers’ box.

“This important investment would help provide the quality community facilities that local residents deserve,” Ms Asher said.

“Torquay remains one of the fastest growing communities across our region with rapidly growing participation in community sport, clubs and organisations.

“Several existing community facilities have become outdated and are failing to keep pace with community needs.

“Getting involved in community activities, whether through a sport or a social club, is so important for general wellbeing and sense of community.

“My plan will deliver the facilities our community deserves, so local residents can continue to stay active and engaged.”

Torquay Tigers football president Jenny Wood quipped the upgrades to the Spring Creek Reserve pavilion would turn what is colloquially known as “Bay 13” for spectators into “a five-star Bay 13; four-star, maybe”.

She said plans for the upgrades began about two years ago with a review of the changerooms.

“As part of that planning process, to really optimise the space, we needed to remove the canteen, so of course we needed to go back to the drawing board to see where we would put the canteen.”

She thanked the Surf Coast Shire for their assistance in drawing up the plans, costing the build and making the project shovel-ready.

“We are ready to go. I’d like to think six months (to complete the works) but I think it’s probably going to be more like 12 months.

“It’s really going to make this a top-class facility from a female-friendly perspective. With the amount of female football we have here now, it’s good to see it could go ahead.”
Torquay Community Men’s Shed president Trevor Sawyer said the shed’s members would welcome the chance to move out of their existing facilities in Price Street and into the Spring Creek Community Hub.

“It’ll give us more parking around it, better access, a bigger shed and a chance to start afresh, spread out and make it more inviting.

“We’re pretty excited, really.

“It’s versatile that parts of it can be used by other groups, and that’s great; and we’re still maintaining a central location.”