Work on a multi-use community facility at Drouin’s Bellbird Park has achieved a key milestone with the tender awarded to Langden Constructions Pty Ltd and construction scheduled to begin, Baw Baw Shire Council has announced.
Two years in planning, the $4.1 million project is set to reinvigorate Bellbird Park with a new female friendly multi-use pavilion for users of the park’s eastern section including hockey, soccer, and cricket clubs, local schools and community groups.
“I’m so happy that we’ve awarded the tender for this fabulous $4.1 million multi-use facility. I’d like to thank the PRG, Council officers and everyone involved in getting the project to this shovel ready stage,” said Mayor Michael Leaney
“This pavilion has really been designed as a multi-purpose space with community events in mind and I just can’t wait to see it come to life. “
Designed with wider community use and events in mind, the facility will include commercial kitchen facilities, audio-visual equipment, flexible room configurations and the construction of a new carpark and drop-off zone.
The project plans were designed in collaboration with a Project Reference Group (PRG) that included representatives from local sporting clubs and community members.
As part of the PRG-supported plans, the site’s existing buildings – including the Rumble Pavilion – had been slated for demolition as a component of redevelopment works.
However, following the presentation of 250-signature petition in support of retaining the Rumble Pavilion for community use, Council has moved to reconsider its demolition pending further study. A report considering the existing building’s proposed community uses and the costs associated with its refurbishment and retention will be presented to Council no later than April 2022.
“Council understands the community has some concerns about the status of the Rumble Pavilion on the site. We have taken that on board and will defer a decision until there’s a bit more clarity on the costs and impacts involved,” the Mayor said.
“One thing that is certain, however, is the incredible enhancement this new multi-use facility will bring to Bellbird Park and the benefits it will bring to all the groups that use it. It’s such a great outcome for Drouin and the wider community.”
First stage works will comprise the construction of the new carpark and are scheduled to begin in January 2022. Second stage works, which comprise construction of the new multi-use community facility itself, will follow.
This project is being delivered in partnership with the Victorian Government, with Council contributing $2 million and the Victorian Government contributing $2 million from its Growing Suburbs Fund.
