Thousands of visitors have enjoyed the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre since it has undergone its $16.5 million redevelopment.
And the centre in Greensborough was in sparkling form last night during celebrations for its official opening.
Deputy Mayor Ben Ramcharan and Councillors joined Eltham MP Vicki Ward, representing Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence, Bundoora MP Colin Brooks, centre managers Aligned Leisure, sporting associations and clubs for the ribbon cutting ceremony.
The redevelopment has seen the centre, first built in 1976, completely transformed. The existing building has been extensively refurbished with an extension more than doubling the centre’s original size. Features include:
- Four new sports courts, bringing the total number of courts to eight
- New reception and administration area with café
- New and refurbished change rooms and toilets
- Expanded gym with 24-hour access
- Improvements to ensure accessibility for all.
Outside visitors are greeted by a vibrant 40m mural by Indigenous artist Fiona Clarke that reflects on the importance of the centre as a gathering place for the community as well as improving health and wellbeing.
Deputy Mayor Ben Ramcharan said the centre was the second-largest infrastructure project undertaken in the Shire, after the Eltham Leisure Centre.
“I would like to thank the Victorian Government, who, through the Growing Suburbs Fund and Sport and Recreation Victoria have provided very generous support to help us create a truly world-class hub for our region,” Cr Ramcharan said.
“And again, this would not be possible without the continued advocacy on behalf of our community from our local MPs.
“We’ve also worked closely with our leisure centre managers – Aligned Leisure – as well as all the local sporting associations and clubs who call this centre home.”
Blue Lake Ward Councillor Richard Stockman said the completed facility continued the revitalization of the Civic Centre precinct.
“This, in many ways, is the crowning achievement in the revitalization of the precinct. Along with the recently refurbished Diamond Valley Library and the playground and outdoor performance area, the redeveloped DVSFC will help ensure that the precinct is something of which the Apollo Parkways community – and indeed the broader Nillumbik community – can be rightly proud,” he said.
Nillumbik Leisure Manager Liam O’Brien from Aligned Leisure said the centre was fast becoming a key hub for a diverse range of activities and health and wellbeing options.
“From table tennis, badminton, dodgeball and of course basketball and netball, DVSFC caters for all. Congratulations to all involved in the concept, development and completion of this amazing project,” he said.
“Aligned Leisure are excited to deliver a range of exciting opportunities in the future on behalf of Nillumbik Shire Council and the broader community.”
The Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre redevelopment has been funded with $6 million from Council, and $10.5 million from the Victorian Government comprising $8 million from Sport and Recreation Victoria and $2.5 million from the Growing Suburbs Fund.
