A heartening community effort has shaped the redevelopment of a key Lorne facility. The $6.5 million Stribling Reserve Pavilions Redevelopment will consist of an upgraded main pavilion and netball pavilion, with construction of the latter scheduled to start before June.
The redevelopment is thanks to guidance from community members such as Peter Spring who are playing a key role in delivering the project. Mr Spring – a Stribling Reserve Committee of Management member for 14 years, including a decade as Chair – described the reserve as an invaluable asset to the Lorne community.
“The reserve has long been the heart of the town,” he said. “It’s home to Lorne Football Netball Club (LFNC), Lorne and District Men’s Shed and provides recreation and activity space for Lorne P-12 College students. It emerged during the Masterplan process that locals recognise Stribling Reserve as a community hub.”
The Stribling Reserve Masterplan was endorsed in 2017 – the result of an innovative partnership between Lorne community members and Council.
“When the Masterplan was developed, the Stribling Reserve committee lobbied for a new type of project governance model which paved the way for the community to become the project owner, by having various representatives on a Project Control Group,” Mr Spring said. “This model has resulted in a greater involvement of those who love the facility in determining its future.
“Over the past five or so years the various levels of government have come together with the people of Lorne to deliver numerous improvements. The oval has been resurfaced, the netball court resurfaced and spectator booths added, stadium ventilation has been improved, and the oval now sports a state-of-the-art electronic scoreboard and impressive lighting.
“The pavilions redevelopment project is going to deliver what the community and the main users of the reserve need, while providing flexible spaces for various community activities.”
The contracts for construction of both pavilions were this month awarded to Bowden Corporation Pty Ltd. Construction of the new netball pavilion is scheduled to start this month and be completed by January 2021. The upgrade of the main pavilion is scheduled to start early next year following a detailed design process.
Cr Clive Goldsworthy said the netball pavilion will provide LFNC netballers with new amenities that are more comfortable, functional and meet Netball Victoria requirements.
“It will feature change rooms and amenities for home and away teams, an accessible toilet, an office, first aid/trainers’ room, umpire amenities and storage,” he said.
“The upgraded main pavilion will meet AFL facility development guidelines and include a new second level with northern entry, community spaces and commercial kitchen, the inclusion of unisex amenities to promote increased use by the school and female sporting participants, and provision of new public toilets. It can also be used by the wider community as a space to hire.”
The final design of the main pavilion is expected to be available for people to provide feedback later in 2020.
Surf Coast Shire Council acknowledges the funding received from the Australian Government through the Building Better Regions Fund ($3.3 million). The BBRF grant is being matched by Council and community contributions.
To stay up-to-date with the project, visit the .
