By Tara Murray
The home of the Westside Strikers Football Club is in line for a major makeover.
Melton council will consider the $1.4 million redevelopment of the Brookside Recreation Reserve pavilion at its 2019-20 budget deliberations later this year.
Cr Steve Aboushi said at this month’s meeting it was “a pleasure” to advocate for the project, which involves an expansion of the multi-purpose space to cater for 120 people, a larger kitchen, more storage and changeroom refurbishments.
According to a council report, the pavilion is no longer meeting the needs of the sports community.
“The Brookside Recreation Reserve experiences one of the highest usage rates of participation for active recreation reserves in the municipality,” the report stated.
Tennis, cricket and soccer and other user groups told council officers an expanded social community space and female-friendly changerooms were high on their wish lists.
Westside Strikers spokeswoman Julianna Ellis-Romano is thrilled that the project is on the council’s radar.
“This is an incredibly positive outcome and represents a giant step forward for the WSFC and the local community,” Ms Ellis-Romano wrote on the club’s Facebook page.
“WSFC would like to thank our councillors for having the vision to create better spaces and facilities for our club, its players, members and our growing community.”
