Sport
27 June, 2024
Changerooms a step closer
MORTLAKE has moved a step closer to securing a multi-million-dollar redevelopment of facilities to create a state-of-the-art experience for the burgeoning numbers of female athletes.
At this week’s Ordinary Meeting of Council, Moyne Shire councillors voted to approve a draft budget alteration which would award a $250,000 fund to support the project to bring new change rooms to the Mortlake Recreation Reserve.
The long-awaited upgrade of the change rooms at Mortlake Recreation Reserve has been in the pipeline for a number of years as the final stage of the redevelopment masterplan, which has included the development of an indoor training facility, the installation of state-of-the-art lighting and the resurfacing of the netball and tennis courts.
As Western District Newspapers reported in May, council’s draft budget had included an allocation of $150,000 over the next two budgets to support the project.
However, the $150,000 was required under a previous funding application to the Federal Government which was ultimately unsuccessful.
The Mortlake Recreation Reserve Committee of Management have since launched a new funding application under the Federal Government’s Play Our Way program, which required a $250,000 commitment from council.
The committee is seeking a $1.95 million commitment under the program, in addition to the $250,000 commitment from council and a $172,500 contribution from the committee, user groups and donations.
The funding from council is dependent on the success of the application under the Play Our Way program, and would be allocated from the shire’s 2025/2026 budget.
As mover of the motion to alter the budget, Councillor Daniel Meade said he was happy to support increasing the funding offered for the project.
“For the Mortlake Recreation Reserve to be able to get a commitment towards that, or intent towards the final project in their master plan, it’s pleasing to be able to do that for them,” he said.
The scope of the project to build new change rooms has grown over previous years, with the current plan supporting the development of two new changerooms to enhance the recreation reserve for all users.
The project is expected to include new netball and tennis change rooms, located at the court area, where there are currently no change rooms available.
The project also includes a second component with additional new change rooms to be located at the oval.
The change rooms at the oval are proposed to be divided among four spaces so female and male competitions can run on the same day, ensuring accessible and ambulant facilities for all users.
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