By Gabriella Payne
Officer’s rapidly growing sporting and recreation clubs are excited to make use of the brand new facilities at the Comely Banks Pavilion, which were unveiled in an official opening ceremony last week.
The state-of-the-art pavilion was officially opened in a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday 14 April by Eastern Victoria MP, Harriet Shing and Cardinia Shire Council Mayor, Brett Owen, alongside a number of other esteemed guests.
Not only do local sporting clubs now have access to a range of interior facilities, such as a kiosk/ canteen, unisex changerooms, unisex umpire change facilities and integrated community space as part of the new pavilion – but a large external covered space has also been created for the community to enjoy.
Mayor Brett Owen said that it was an “exciting” day and that these brand new facilities would provide a fantastic recreational space for the whole community to enjoy for years to come.
“This is an exciting addition for the fast-growing Officer community and surrounding areas,” Mayor Owen said.
“These new facilities will help serve the sport and recreation needs of our community now and into the future.”
This $7.2 million project, made possible by the state government’s ‘growing suburbs fund’ and the Cardinia Shire Council, will see Officer become a major sporting hub for Melbourne’s south eastern suburbs, as work progresses to complete the reserve.
The reserve will soon be home to four rugby league pitches, two cricket and Australian rules football ovals and two lawn bowling greens which are expected to be finished by July 2021 – but will need to undergo a “maintenance schedule” before opening for public use, which isn’t expected until July 2022.
Eastern Victoria MP, Harriet Shing said that it was “fantastic” to see the results of the ‘growing suburbs fund’ come to fruition with projects such as the Comely Banks pavilion.
“This is going to be a fantastic asset for Officer – a place for people to play the sports they love, meet new friends and get active,” Ms Shing said.
“It’s great that the Andrews Labor Government has continued its investment across our growing communities, helping to make places like this possible.”
Comely Banks Recreation Reserve is located at 125 Bridge Road, Officer.
For more information about the project, visit www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/comelybanks
