Pavilion works underway

By Lachlan Ellis

Moorabool Shire Council has provided an update on works at the Ballan Recreation Reserve, with a new pavilion set to be completed in late February.

On social media last week, Council let the community know that the change rooms’ steel structure was complete, with wall framing to begin and the social pavilion slab nearing completion.

Council CEO Derek Madden said Council, like the Ballan & District community, was eagerly awaiting completion of the pavilion works.

“The Ballan Recreation Reserve pavilion upgrade is still on track for completion by the end of February 2023, with the handover expected to take place in late March,” Mr Madden said.

“The new pavilion will not just be a great asset for the Ballan Recreation Reserve users (Ballan Football Netball Club, Ballan Cricket Club and Ballan Bowls Club) but a space for the entire community to hold various activities and events throughout the year.

“Clubs have long advocated for a pavilion upgrade for its Ballan sporting precinct, with Council and Sport and Recreation Victoria (SRV) proud to help make this dream a reality.”

President of the Ballan Recreation Reserve Committee, Peter McGregor, said delays to the project had been frustrating for the local sporting clubs and community, but they were looking forward to next year.

“We can’t wait to have it completed so we can all move in there and start normality. It’ll provide opportunities for people to use it, not just the sporting groups, it’ll be a community facility for other groups to hire it,” Mr McGregor said.
“It’s been a little bit difficult for the clubs with the delays, but I think they’ve managed to adapt and be flexible. We’re hoping the Cricket Club will at least have their presentation there, at the end of February there’s probably only one home and away match after that.”

As well as work on the pavilion, work on new cricket nets at the Reserve will start later this month. The Ballan Cricket Club will still have access to their old nets during the construction phase, but “will soon have a 3-lane enclosed practice facility suited to club and Cricket Victoria requirements”, Mr Madden said.