Soccer club president Emma Bennett, the bowls club’s Ross Prictor, and the football club’s Damien Knowles, front, admire the new Doug Lindsay Reserve facilities.
CRESWICK has celebrated the official opening of its new community and sporting hub.
Twenty years after the first plans were made for a multi-purpose facility on the site, the Doug Lindsay Reserve oval and community facility has been declared open.
Federal Member for Ballarat Catherine King said it was a “major win” for Creswick residents.
Ms King said through the Government’s Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program, more than $2.24 million had been provided to build the new recreation space.
“The oval will be used for matches and training and the meeting space will be available for local community groups like the Creswick Municipal Band and the Creswick Neighbourhood Centre,” Ms King said. “With the addition of a commercial kitchen and bar, the new function room will be a popular venue to hold major local events.”
Creswick Football Netball Club, the Bendigo Bank and community fundraising also helped bring the facility to completion.
However, Creswick Football Netball Clubremains unable to train at the reserve due to the ground’s abrasive surface being deemed an unsuitable risk to players and officials. Hepburn Shire Council has said it would liaise with the club to optimise the quality of the surface.
Club president Peter Considine said they were looking forward to a hassle-free year in 2013.
“It’s the sort of facility country footy clubs dream of having,” he said.
The facility’s soccer pitches, netball courts and community building are still open for use.