- Published:
- Tuesday 9 October 2018
The East Keilor Cougars Football Club and East Keilor Hawks Cricket Club have been given a massive boost thanks to $250,000 in funding from the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Sport John Eren today joined Member for Nidrie Ben Carroll to announce the pavilion at Overland Reserve will be upgraded and extended thanks to funding from the Labor Government’s Community Sports Infrastructure Fund.
The clubs have nearly 400 players and the reserve is used year round, six days a week for training and competition. On top of this the existing facilities are not up to modern standards and inappropriate for women and girls which has discouraged female participation.
The new pavilion will feature two female friendly change rooms and amenities on top of the existing facilities as well as accessible facilities on the ground floor and new first floor.
The addition of the first floor will provide space for the clubs and wider community to hold events and functions.
This project is part of a wider master plan for the reserve which will see the development of netball courts, ground realignment and lighting.
Funding for the pavilion is part of the Labor Government’s strong commitment to sports and active recreation, and to encouraging all Victorians to get out there and get active.
Across Victoria we've invested more than $420 million in community sport and recreation facilities, and earlier this year provided almost half a billion dollars in the Victorian Budget 2018/19 to support sport and active recreation at all levels.
Mr Eren and Mr Carroll acknowledged Moonee Valley City Council, AFL Victoria, East Keilor Football Club and East Keilor Cricket Club for their commitment and financial contributions to the project.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport John Eren
“Growing numbers of boys, girls, men and women are signing up to play aussie rules footy and cricket in Keilor East, but the community’s sporting facilities need a boost.”
“We believe sports clubs are the heart and soul of local communities and we want them to have high quality facilities.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Niddrie Ben Carroll
“A female friendly pavilion at Overland Reserve will provide more opportunities for locals to get active and play the sport they love.”
“Overland Reserve is a real hub of our local community and these facilities will benefit our community for many years to come.”