City Oval netball facilities

Horsham company Locks Constructions has been awarded the contract to build Horsham City Oval’s new community netball pavilion, bringing the much-anticipated project a step closer to reality.

Horsham Rural City Council’s tender process was not without its challenges, with rising construction industry costs necessitating three separate calls for tenders.

Chief Executive Officer Sunil Bhalla said, despite the hurdles, HRCC was pleased to confirm that the pavilion would stay true to its original concept.

“The new pavilion promises to be a modern addition to the City Oval, featuring a curved facade that aligns with the two newly constructed netball courts.

While the design is contemporary, it complements the existing structures at the Oval, ensuring that it will fit nicely into its surrounds,” Mr Bhalla said.

Mr Bhalla said soaring construction industry costs meant Council had to advertise the tender multiple times.

“The building’s design was revisited and reworked to reduce cost while maintaining functionality. Most amendments related to structural steel elements, with some minor floor plan simplification.

“Our persistence has paid off and we are pleased to have reached this milestone on behalf of the Horsham community and key user groups, including the Horsham Demons Football and Netball Club and the Horsham City Netball Association,” he said.

The completion of the project is scheduled to coincide with the end of the 2025 Wimmera Football and Netball League season, ensuring the facility is ready for use in the following season.

The multi-use pavilion will boast a range of facilities, including:

• Two main change rooms with amenities
• An accessible change room
• Three umpire change areas
• A first aid/medical room
• A social space, kiosk, and pantry
• An office for netball administration
• Equipment and storage space
• Three spectator (public) amenities, including an accessible toilet, all with external access
• A canopy for external shelter
• Mounded viewing areas
• Landscaped areas and connecting pathways

The project, including the completed courts and lighting, is funded via the Victorian Government and the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Fund.

The City Oval/Sawyer Park redevelopment project is one of seven precincts included in the City to River Masterplan and is the second to progress after work on the riverfront precinct in 2021.

Other City Oval projects include the externally funded multipurpose events stage and twin netball courts.

Council is still seeking state and federal grants to build a new general community pavilion to replace the current two-storey building.

Horsham Rural City Council has welcomed an $800,000 investment from Sport and Recreation Victoria (SRV) that will help deliver long-awaited netball facility upgrades at the municipality’s premier sporting precinct.

Two new netball courts and a modern community pavilion will be delivered at Horsham City Oval as part of the $3.2 million project.

Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence announced the funding in Horsham on Wednesday after HRCC successfully applied for a SRV Female Friendly Facilities grant.

LED floodlights, two change rooms with accessible showers and toilets, player and spectator amenities, an office, social room, storage facilities and umpires room are also included in the plans.

Council will commit $2,402,030 to the redevelopment thanks to the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure fund.

HRCC will soon call for detailed design tenders and onsite works will begin in the coming months.

The City Oval/Sawyer Park redevelopment project is one of seven precincts included in the City to River Masterplan, and is the second to progress after work started on the riverfront precinct in 2021.

In June, HRCC secured $2 million from the Victoria Government to build a multifunctional stage that will better connect City Oval with Sawyer Park.

Council will seek further money for projects such as a new cricket/football community pavilion with modern change rooms and the expansion of the City Oval playing field.

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO MAYOR ROBYN GULLINE

“The wider benefit of this upgrade is about inspiring female participation in sport and providing great, safe facilities to enable more women to participate for longer,” she said.

“The flow-on effect of more sport participation is of course improved personal wellbeing, better health, social interaction and better quality of life.

“We sincerely thank the Victorian Government for its investment in our regional city. It will certainly be appreciated for many decades to come. Recognition should also go to members of the Community Reference Group who were instrumental in the City Oval/Sawyer Park concept design process,” Cr Gulline said.

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO WIMMERA FOOTBALL NETBALL LEAGUE PRESIDENT PAULINE BUTLER

“Not only will the two netball courts create more participation in the sport, it will also provide the league and clubs access to first rate facilities for home away matches and finals,” Ms Butler said.

“It also allows us to be flexible with game day management of potentially playing more than one game at a time.”