Baw Baw Shire Council has been working with local clubs, user groups and recreation committees to address their infrastructure needs in a bid to future proof their facilities.
The Hallora Cricket Club and Hallora Junior Football Club are the latest to welcome sporting upgrades to their home at the Hallora Recreation reserve, totalling over $750,000.
In line with Council’s 2019 Recreation Master Plan, several infrastructure projects have been completed at the reserve and include:
- The extension of the existing player amenities and umpire’s rooms. The facility now meets female friendly guidelines and includes addition to the coaches’ boxes and veranda. The $440,000 project which began in 2019, was supported with a $292,500 contribution from the Latrobe Valley Authority together, $25,000 from AFL Gippsland and the balance from Council’s capital works budget.
- Four new light towers with LED lights fittings ensuring that both players and spectators have a quality and well-lit sporting oval to use all year round. At total cost of $270,000, this project was supported with a $150,000 Sport and Recreation Victoria grant with the balance contributed through Council’s capital works Budget.
- A new LED full colour digital scoreboard including AFL and cricket scoring, with advertising abilities and wireless control. The $40,800 scoreboard project was made possible with a combined financial contribution from Sport and Recreation Victoria and the Hallora Recreation Reserve user groups.
In addition, the reserve has also seen the recent installation of a new fenced playground, recreational play space, new AFL goals and goal netting, upgraded public toilets and storage amenities and an extension to the cricket practice nets, marking the completion of construction and upgrade works at the site.
Hallora Junior Football Club president, Chris Wilson said the club is more family-friendly and more female-friendly as a result of the upgrades.
“It feels like a better place to come,” says Mr Wilson.
“People look forward to coming here because they know the facilities are really good.
“We’ve been really lucky over the last four or five years. We’ve had a lot of money spent here from different fundings. It’s taken it from something that was almost a little bit rundown to something that’s really modern and right up there with the facilities around Gippsland.”
Speaking at the official opening event, Mayor Annemarie McCabe recognised the pivotal role that members from Committee of Management, user groups, and a dedicated project reference group have played in advocating for the redevelopment works at the site.
“Following a tour of the upgraded facilities this afternoon, it is clear to see how much of an impact these projects have made to this much-loved community reserve,” said Mayor McCabe.
“All your efforts have been worth it. The Hallora Recreation Reserve is looking fantastic. I would like to thank the various clubs and users for their ongoing collaboration with Council to see these projects come to life.”
