Footy, cricket, netball, and athletics have more space to host the big events thanks to the completion of pavilion upgrades at Stawell’s iconic Central Park, home of the Stawell Gift.
Member for Western Victoria Jacinta Ermacora today joined Northern Grampians Shire Mayor Cr, Rob Haswell to open the female friendly pavilion upgrades, made possible by a $800,000 investment from the Local Sports Infrastructure Fund.
Central Park is a major sporting hub for the region. The $2.1 million pavilion revamp includes new female friendly and accessible home-and-away change rooms, umpire change area, two trainers’ rooms, administration office, storage spaces, foyer entry, a new lift to the first floor, accessibility upgrades to pathways and new concrete access ramps.
The improved facilities allow clubs including Stawell Football Netball Club, local Auskick, Stawell 13 and Under Football Association, the Stawell Athletic Club, and the Grampians Cricket Association to host more training, development programs, competition and boost women and girls and all abilities participation.
The pavilion transformation also puts the iconic park in pole position to attract and host even more major events and provides a strong foundation for local clubs to work with their leagues and associations to develop sports participation in the region.
The Victorian Budget 2023/24 kicked in more than $213 million to deliver and improve community sports infrastructure and support initiatives that boost participation and inclusion in local sports clubs and organisations.
This brings the Victorian Government’s investment into community sport and active recreation infrastructure to more than $1.9 billion over the past decade.
Investments like these are all about creating jobs, stimulating local economies, levelling the playing field and improving the health, wellbeing and social outcomes for Victorian communities.
Jacinta Ermacora MP acknowledged project partners the Federal Government for its $655,000 contribution, the Northern Grampians Shire Council for its $655,000 contribution, and the Stawell Football Netball Club for its $35,000 contribution to the project.
For more information about infrastructure grant opportunities available through the Victorian Government visit sport.vic.gov.au
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria Jacinta Ermacora
“Central Park’s pavilion transformation is a game changer and provides even more reason for locals and sports fans to come along and enjoy sport and active recreation at its best at this iconic regional venue.”
“Clubs now have modern facilities to grow the game and the wider community also has access to modern and accessible infrastructure at the Park that everyone can enjoy.”
“By investing in multi-purpose female friendly facilities like this pavilion we’re working to make our sports more accessible and resilient, so more people can get active in nature and enjoy the parks they love.”
