SPORT
By KATRINA BRANDON
UPGRADES are now complete at Maryvale Recreation Reserve.
The reserve is home to Latrobe Cricket Club and Latrobe Valley Umpires Association.
The upgrade includes new public toilets, umpire changing rooms, refurbished player areas, improved catering facilities, and security enhancements.
The project was delivered by Latrobe City Council and the state government, with a combined investment of almost $1.4 million, including $920,000 through the government’s Council Support Package, and $470,000 from Latrobe City.
“We want to make sure that we’re taking care of our local facilities and that they are accessible,” Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing said.
“It’s about making sure that we’ve got facilities that are really fit-for-purpose for communities.”
Upgrades also included Peter Siddle Oval, connected to the reserve, where resurfacing and drainage works were completed to improve irrigation and make the grounds more resilient under heavy rain. A new footpath has also been installed to improve accessibility.
The upgrades will also provide a more accessible space for the wider community.
“This is a wonderful project for our community. The new modern and accessible facilities will not only support participation in sport and healthy lifestyles, but they will also provide terrific spaces for our community to come together and socialise,” Latrobe City Mayor Sharon Gibson said.
“Maryvale Reserve is home to Latrobe Cricket Club and Latrobe Valley Umpires Association, and it’s great to see the strong growth they’ve both experienced in recent years, particularly in junior and female participation. These upgrades will no doubt support that growth well into the future.”
Latrobe Valley Umpires Association and Latrobe Cricket Club joined the governing bodies for the official opening.
LV Umpires Association President Scott Moorhouse said the upgrades were a welcome addition, especially the new clubroom heating and kitchen.
“It will be great to hopefully be able to use them next season,” he said.
“The facility over the years has had lots of different people here, including rugby; we’ve had soccer, and lots of other sports (groups).”
Moorhouse also mentioned plans to bring all three ovals on the premises up to standard, if not better, so they can be used by many different groups.
These works are part of more than 20 projects funded across Latrobe City under a $5 million grant from the Council Support Package.
Other projects in the Council Support Package include upgrades to Crinigan Road South Reserve, WiFi upgrades at more than 10 locations across Latrobe City and lighting upgrades at Morwell’s Ronald Reserve.
