More people in Wallington will have the opportunity to participate in sport following vital upgrades now underway at Wallington Reserve pavilion.
The local sporting reserve at Wallington Road is home to the Bellarine Bears Baseball Club and Wallington Cricket Club, and is a well utilised facility and social hub for the community.
While many residents make use of the facilities, the reserve’s pavilion has fallen behind the times, lacking the female-friendly and accessible changerooms our community deserves.
As council’s Health portfolio chair, I value the tangible links that sport has to our community’s health and wellbeing, offering social connection and physical and mental health benefits.
Modern social infrastructure such as sporting pavilions are known to contribute to better health, wellbeing and social outcomes in communities and encourage people of different ages and abilities to have a crack at sport.
It’s therefore vital that everyone in our community should have access to these spaces.
So, I’m proud that the City is addressing these issues by redeveloping the pavilion, including demolition works, and extension of the building.
The $4.25 million project will deliver two brand new compliant changerooms, accessible toilets, a kitchen, canteen and social space, without the narrow doorways and walkways, steps and door handles that currently challenge accessibility.
This project is funded by $3.25 million from the City and up to $1 million from the Victorian government’s Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund.
It’s so important that our sports facilities keep pace with the increasing sports participation in the region, and it’s clear the need is strong in Wallington.
From 2019 to 2024, Wallington Cricket Club experienced a 134 per cent increase in participation, with almost 200 people taking part in its programs.
Bellarine Bears Baseball Club witnessed a 16 per cent increase in the same period, with more people eager to step up to the plate than ever before.
Both clubs field all-abilities teams, so having accessible facilities is incredibly important to encourage participation.
Importantly, the works at Wallington Reserve have been shaped by feedback provided by club representatives and community consultation from the Ocean Grove Sporting Infrastructure Plan 2025.
This plan establishes priorities for the development of sporting reserves in the region to ensure our community can participate in a diverse range of sport and recreation activities.
It highlights the increase in sports participation over the past five years and identifies the clubs across various codes that are struggling to meet demand due to the limitations of existing facilities.
Wallington Reserve is one of six sporting reserves in the region identified for requiring infrastructure development to keep pace with demand.
Ocean Grove’s Shell Road, Memorial, Collendina, Devlins Road and Arthur Powell Reserves also received recommendations for additional facilities.
I’m excited to see the Wallington Reserve project deliver a new fit-for-purpose pavilion that is accessible to community members of all abilities, ages and genders.
By working together across all levels of government and listening to local voices, we are ensuring our region offers the inclusive, safe, and welcoming spaces that every player and supporter deserves.
