Despite rain curtailing the open air formalities on Saturday morning, there was unbridled enthusiasm among all present when district MP Mary-Anne Thomas announced a state government allocation of $985,710 towards major facilities for netball at Woodend’s Gilbert Gordon Reserve.
“I believe that our playing facilities will be transformed from being the worst in the league, and possibly even the region, to the very best,” Woodend-Hesket Football Netball Club’s netball manager, Kellie Duff, said.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council is contributing $310,000 to the project, and the senior and junior netball clubs’ $30,000 in cash, plus in-kind support.
Mayor Jennifer Anderson and WHFNC’s new co-presidents, Anne-Louise Lindner and Paul Podbury, thanked Ms Thomas and the Andrews Government for the $985,710 allocation.
Ms Thomas said this boost, as well as $300,000 for a Taradale Youth Space, would go a long way to support the growing number of people in the electorate keen to be involved in local sport and recreation.
The result at Gilbert Gordon will be two Netball Victoria compliant competition courts, competition standard lighting, and required infrastructure including spectator and players’ shelters and seating, storage sheds,and electronic scoreboards – as well as link-up pathways.
Ms Thomas said it was wonderful to see so many juniors and players of the future present for the announcement, and she also reflected on the persistent lobbying by Ms Lindner and Ms Duff over a very long period of time for improved facilities.
Cr Anderson said while the project was “not going to happen tomorrow”, it would be a major addition to the infrastructure transformation that had occurred at the Gilbert Gordon Oval precinct.
The mayor encouraged all interested to make comment before November 14 on the draft master plan for Gilbert Gordon.
A cultural heritage management plan is being developed for the site for the new netball facilities.
The football-netball club recognises there is still a way to go before there are female friendly changerooms at the oval.
DIXON FIELD
Ms Thomas also announced a $30,000 allocation to the shire council for Gisborne’s Dixon Field soccer field number 2 redevelopment planning.
This will enable preparation of tender documentation through development of detailed schematic design, plans and cost estimates for upgrading this pitch.
Drainage, irrigation, a new turf surface and LED lighting are involved.
When completed, the project will deliver a second full-size soccer pitch.
Funding also provides designs for a five-a-side synthetic pitch.
Allocations come from the government’s 2022 Local Sports Infrastructure Fund.
