By Bonny Burrows
Pakenham soccer players are kicking around on a top-notch synthetic soccer pitch, thanks to cash from the Growing Suburbs Fund.
Officially opened by Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins on 5 May, the $7 million IYU Recreation Reserve features a full- sized ground and a state-of-the-art pavilion which is nearing completion.
The project was jointly funded with $3.25 million from the Victorian Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund, $650,000 through Sport and Recreation Victoria and $3.1 million from Cardinia Shire Council’s capital works budget.
Local sporting clubs including Pakenham United Football and Aligned Leisure – a subsidiary of the Richmond Football Club – also collaborated with the government bodies on planning and design.
Cardinia Shire Council Mayor Brett Owen said the facility would become a home for the Pakenham United Football Club.
“Having grown immensely since its establishment just eight years ago, the Pakenham United Football Club has had to move from one temporary facility to another, with no real place to call home,” councillor Owen said.
“But now, with purpose-built facilities, the club can embrace their continued growth and look forward to greater participation in the years to come.”
Ms Hutchins described the reserve as a “fantastic facility for the local community”, which could grow with demand.
“No doubt, there will be knocks on the door down the track from clubs to continue to fit it out and do further work down the track to grow it,” she said.
