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Baxter Park female-friendly pavilion officially opened on 18 August 2024

The upgraded, female-friendly pavilion at Baxter Park, Warragul, was officially opened by Harriet Shing, supporting the growth of grassroots football with new change rooms, a club office, parking, and pitch lighting.

By news@gippsland - 15th August 2024 - Back to News

The world game in Warragul has more room to grow and stage big games thanks to completion of female friendly pavilion upgrades at Baxter Park. Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing joined representatives from Baw Baw Shire Council and Gippsland United Soccer Club to officially open the upgraded pavilion, made possible by a $1 million investment from the Allan Labor Government's Local Sports Infrastructure Fund.

Upgrades at Baxter Park include female-friendly facilities and improved amenities, boosting Gippsland United's capacity to host events and support growing grassroots football, especially for women and girls

Empowering grassroots football

With grassroots football numbers booming across the state, especially among women and girls, the upgrades provide the perfect base for United to host bigger events, expand on their junior and female teams, and take grassroots sport to the next level. The pavilion now includes female friendly player and official change rooms, club office and administration area, storage, first aid room, accessible public and spectator amenities, and baby change facilities.

There's also an undercover spectator area, a new car park and a pitch lighting upgrade, providing more opportunity for Gippsland United to use its home ground advantage well into the night. The Allan Labor Government has invested more than $2.3 billion in community sport and active recreation infrastructure over the past decade.

Budget enhances infrastructure

The Victorian Budget 2024/25 is also providing more than $23 million to continue delivery of community sport and active recreation infrastructure, and programs to increase participation opportunities and improve accessibility. From oval redevelopments to pavilion upgrades, investments like these are all about creating jobs, stimulating local economies, and improving the health, wellbeing, and social outcomes for Victorian communities.

Harriet Shing MP acknowledged Baw Baw Shire Council for its more than $42,000 as well as the Federal Government for its contribution of more than $1.97 million towards pavilion upgrades, pitch lighting and car parking. For more information about infrastructure grant opportunities available through the Victorian Government, visit Sport and Recreation Victoria website.

Strengthen community ties

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said, "These upgrades are a big win for local sport and the rapidly growing West Gippsland community, providing multi-use facilities that will bring people together for events, competition and training all year round."

"We're continuing our support for new and upgraded community and sporting facilities right across the region because everybody of all ages and abilities deserves the opportunity to get active and get involved," Ms Shing concluded.

Pictures from Baw Baw Shire Council website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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