Gerald Lynch
A pavilion will be built at JR Parsons Reserve in Sunshine, after a flurry of community support to include it in this year’s Brimbank council budget.
After initially being snubbed in council’s draft budget, Grand United Cricket Club and Sunshine Park Tennis Club members and other reserve users rallied to present a petition to council, calling for the project to be included in the 2024-25 budget.
The result was an allocation of $400,000, with construction to commence this year..
The new sports pavilion will be built both ovals at the reserve and will feature four gender neutral changing rooms, a First Aid room, two umpire change rooms, kitchen, social area, an administration office, and storage areas.
Grand United Cricket Club president Alan Hale said the strong support of the community was thoroughly appreciated, and he looks forward to the works getting under way.
“Our current facilities are located on the opposite side of the car park, meaning all of our players and spectators need to cross a busy car park to get to the pavilion … it’s got asbestos signs everywhere, there’s no dedicated changing rooms … it is not fit for purpose,” he said.
“That’s the continual feedback we’ve had from our members over the last 20 years, which is just about how long this campaign has been going on.
“It takes our volunteers an hour to take all the equipment over to the other side … chairs, tables, scoreboards … so it is just going to be massive on all fronts.
“We’ll be able to have better engagement with our past players and members, having a space where they can sit and socialise in the comfort of the club.
“Everything is fit for purpose, it’s just going to be great.”
