Beaconsfield Junior Football Club president Anthony Thomas, seniors vice-president Gary Valentine and seniors president Terry Lock celebrate the $500,000 State Government funding announcement with Sports and Recreation Minister James Merlino, Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato and Cardinia Shire mayor Bill Pearson. 30128 Picture: Meagan Rogers
By Melissa Grant
BEACONSFIELD Football Club is well on its way to getting a new home, with the State Government delivering a $500,000 boost to the Holm Park Road recreation reserve project.
Footballs will be kicked and cricket balls hit at the first class $5.65 million facility in about two years.
The reserve will also provide a base for Beaconsfield Cricket Club, Upper Beaconsfield Cricket Club, Upper Beaconsfield Tennis Club, Beaconsfield Tennis Club and Beaconsfield Netball Club.
Beaconsfield’s three senior football teams, three super rules teams and 16 junior sides will also call Holm Park Road recreation reserve home.
The senior club’s vice-president Gary Valentine said its members were itching to play and train at the new facility.
He said the juniors were particularly excited given they use the O’Neil Road oval which has minimal facilities.
“The kids are just playing footy – there’s nowhere for them to have a shower or anything,” he said. “It’s just a joke.”
The 12.6 hectare site will feature three ovals with floodlighting, four cricket practice nets, skate park, walking and cycling paths, two sport pavilions and four netball courts with three multi-lined for tennis.
The State Government last week announced that the project would get the maximum grant available under a Community Facility Funding program, adding to the $264,000 recently committed through the Federal Government’s Community Infrastructure Program.
The Cardinia Shire Council will pump about $5 million into the project.
Cardinia Shire mayor Bill Pearson said the project was significant for the Beaconsfield community and the shire in general.
“The Holm Park Road Recreation Reserve is one of the most important projects to be undertaken by the council as part of its commitment to providing an expanded range of services and facilities for the people of Cardinia Shire,” he said.
Minister for Sport and Recreation James Merlino said the reserve was a vital community project.
“I look forward to coming back here with Tammy (Lobato) and seeing sport played on this great precinct,” he said.
