There is a new home for football, netball, tennis and cricket clubs in the Bellarine with the Portarlington Recreation Reserve now open.
The reserve officially reopened on 21 February following upgrade works across the facility to create better opportunities for the community to gather, meet, get active and develop local programs.
Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant said the upgrades were a “major step forward” for sport across the region.
“This will create more opportunities to participate, strengthen development pathways, and attract major events to the region,” she said.
“High-quality sport and recreation facilities make it easier for Bellarine locals to get involved, enjoy the many benefits of community sport, and lead healthy, active lifestyles.”
Project works were funded by $3.15 million from the state government, which included a refreshed synthetic cricket wicket and a multi-use enclosed cricket training facility.
Works featured an extension of the pavilion to include two change rooms and amenities suitable for women and girls, a trainers’ room, two umpires’ change rooms, accessible public amenities, a first aid room and a storage room.
The project also delivered two LED scoreboards for netball and football, a shed for the Bellarine Agricultural Society and a bigger carpark with 100 parking spaces, accessible bays and new lighting.
City of Greater Geelong helped deliver the project through a $14,500 contribution, along with a $600,000 commitment through the federal government’s Investing in Our Communities Program.
Visit sport.vic.gov.au/funding for more information about infrastructure grant opportunities available through the state government.
