By Lachlan Ellis<\/p>\n
A new pavilion for the Darley community and sporting clubs is due for completion next year, and the tenant clubs are asking for the community\u2019s help to make it the best facility possible.<\/p>\n
Construction of the Darley Park Community and Sports Centre is being funded jointly by the State Government, Moorabool Shire Council, and Darley Park\u2019s three tenant clubs \u2013 the Darley Football Netball Club (DFNC) Seniors, Juniors, and the Darley Cricket Club.<\/p>\n
Last week the tenant clubs launched the \u2018Darley Sports & Community Facilities Fund\u2019, asking the community to help complete the pavilion, by contributing to the $4.1 million project.<\/p>\n
The fundraiser has a target of $500,000, and all donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.<\/p>\n
DFNC President Mark Shelly said the pavilion would cater for the whole Darley community and provide a sense of community ownership, with completion expected in late February 2023.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we\u2019ve initiated the fundraiser for is, there\u2019s significant other funds required for the fit-out and surrounds of the building, such as the kitchen fit-out, chairs, tables, et cetera. There are a lot of extras that we\u2019ll need to come up with basically,\u201d Mr Shelly told the Moorabool News.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we want to be able to do is make sure the new facility is inviting for all sectors of the community. By having a fundraiser of this nature, members of the community can volunteer and put in if they\u2019re able to, and that eases the burden on the tenant clubs trying to acquire more funds.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Shelly said that despite the football clubs\u2019 significant investment to extend and upgrade the existing pavilion \u2013 which is believed to have been around since at least the mid-70s \u2013 it had been \u201ccategorically outdated\u201d in recent times.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo now have access to have a brand-new building will be phenomenal. It\u2019ll be all inclusive\u2026with the evolution of women\u2019s football and cricket, the new pavilion will be able to cater for the new teams. All teams will have their own area, which is fantastic,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Darley Cricket Club President Tim Gallagher echoed the need for a modern facility at Darley Park, and said the Cricket Club was eager to put it to use.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe welcome contributions from the community to enhance this fantastic project. We\u2019re excited to have facilities that are modern, and that we\u2019ll be proud to use as our home ground facilities. To be able to socialise and have functions in a modern facility will be fantastic,\u201d Mr Gallagher said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019ll give the opportunity for people on the Darley side of town to have a wonderful complex to hire and use for private events.\u201d<\/p>\n
To contribute and help build a fantastic new facility for the Darley community, visit www.asf.org.au\/projects\/darley-football-netball-club-inc.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Lachlan Ellis A new pavilion for the Darley community and sporting clubs is due for completion next year, and the tenant clubs are asking for the community\u2019s help to make it the best facility possible. Construction of the Darley Park Community and Sports Centre is being funded jointly by the State Government, Moorabool Shire […]<\/p>\n