Netball pavilion opens, work starts on main pavilion

LORNE’S new netball pavilion is officially open and construction on the main pavilion has started as part of the redevelopment of Stribling Reserve.

Featuring modern contemporary facilities, including new change rooms and amenities for home and away teams, an accessible toilet, an office, first aid/trainers’ room, umpire amenities and storage, the new netball pavilion can also be used by the wider community as a space to hire.

Surf Coast Shire councillor Gary Allen said he was delighted the netball pavilion was now a feature of the town, and was pleased to see construction had officially begun on the main pavilion with the turning of the first sod at the site last week.

“The Stribling Reserve Pavilions Redevelopment Project has been a wonderful example of partnership between the Lorne community and the council to ensure residents and visitors can enjoy Lorne’s premier community hub,” Cr Allen said.

“I’m very pleased this new pavilion provides great support, in particular to girls and women currently participating in netball, and will help attract new participants.

“Now with the turning of the first sod on the main pavilion build, we’ll soon be providing even more opportunities for Lorne locals and the wider community to participate in the kinds of activities that bring a town together, including sports, community events and meetings.”

Sustainability is set to become one of the key credentials of the main pavilion build, thanks to an $86,000 grant received from the Victorian Government through Sustainability Victoria’s Sustainable Infrastructure Fund.

The build will include recycled materials in the surrounding decking and furniture.

The shire has matched this amount, bringing the investment in recycled materials in the facility to $172,000. This investment will be the largest of its kind by local government on the Surf Coast and will feature about 280sqm of decking, walkways and outdoor furniture using recycled composite timber products.

Stribling Reserve Committee of Management chair Peter Spring said incorporating recycled materials into the facility was a win for the community as well as for the environment.

“Right from the design stage we’ve been keen to present a showcase facility for Lorne,” he said.

“The extensive decking will look fantastic and is going to be one of the highlights. The fact it will be in recycled materials keeps maintenance to a minimum and will be an example of some of its capabilities. I hope it will prompt people to think: ‘Maybe I should be using it at my place?’ It’s a win all round.”

The total project funding of $6.5 million for the new pavilions includes $3.275m received from the federal government through the Building Better Regions Fund, and $3.275m from the shire, including a $500,000 community contribution.

Victorian Senator Sarah Henderson said the redeveloped Stribling Reserve would provide a wonderful facility to the people of Lorne.

“With the completion of a new netball pavilion, I am delighted that netballers will at last have a home,” Ms Henderson said.

For more information, head to surfcoast.vic.gov.au/striblingreserve.