The next piece in the upgrade of player and spectator facilities at Lucknow Recreation Reserve is about to be put in place.

East Gippsland Shire Council awarded the change rooms upgrade contract to local company Brooker Builders for $1.86 million this week.

The major redevelopment project includes building new player change rooms, kitchen and canteen, toilets, and significant improvements to the social rooms thatwill reveal views to the oval.

Mayor Cr John White said the football and netball project was great news for the Lucknow sporting community.

“This upgrade closes the loop on a fantastic community facility that includes newly completed netball courts.Table tennis and squash, dog obedience and cricket all call the recreation reserve home, and with $800,000 in State Government funding announced yesterday we can now also proceed with the development of a gymnastics centre,” Cr White said.

“We actively encourage and support increased participation in sport by our residents,and this new facility will be a high quality, accessible and fit-for-purpose building.”

The Mayor said Council had ensured significant consultation with the Lucknow Recreation Reserve Committee of Management and user groups in developing this project, and on the timelines for construction.

“Works will be timed to ensure they have minimal impact on sporting seasons and fixtures. If there is a silver lining to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s being able to have a new facility available for the next football and netball season in 2021,” Cr White said.

Work is expected to start this month and be completed by May 2021.  

The need to upgrade or replace the Lucknow Recreation Reserve change rooms and pavilion was identified as a high priority in the Bairnsdale Sporting Facilities Plan 2018, which included engagement with the many sporting groups and management groups across Bairnsdale.

The total budget inclusive of the 2019/20 and 2020/21 budget for the Lucknow Recreation Reserve Changerooms Upgrade is $2.3m including $500,000 from the Federal Government’s Community Sport Infrastructure Grant program.

This project follows from the recently completed renewal of the netball court at the reserve, which was partly funded by a $100,000 from Sport and Recreation Victoria.