Deputy Mayor Anthony Aitken and Member for Lara Ella George MP have officially opened a new pavilion and baseball field at the Lara Recreation Reserve today.
The opening is part of Stage Two of the Lara Recreation Reserve Precinct Masterplan, which was adopted in 2019, and will support baseball, cricket and football in Lara.
The pavilion, known as the ‘Lara Multisport Pavilion’ is 600m2, and features a social space, kitchen with serveries for multiple sports, four changerooms including female-friendly facilities, two umpires changerooms, timekeepers room, first aid room, sport viewing areas, and storage.
The baseball field was also reconstructed, with a synthetic turf infield, natural turf outfield, new scorers and playing shelters, new irrigation and drainage systems and baseball fencing.
Deputy Mayor and Windermere ward councillor Anthony Aitken
These comprehensive and all-ability facilities will take sport and recreation in Lara to the next level, especially in women’s sport.
The unique design of the pavilion to support baseball, football and cricket under the one roof at the same time will be an important part of this diverse and growing community.
State Member for Lara Ella George MP
The Lara Recreation Reserve continues to get better and better, ensuring that Lara is getting the very best facilities for the growing community.
The new sporting pavilion catering to baseball, football, cricket as well as an extensive reconstruction of the baseball field will help grow participation and ensure both players and spectators have a state of the art complex to enjoy for years to come.
The Allan Labor Government is getting behind local sporting clubs in Lara and investing in sporting facilities that the whole community can be proud of.
This project was funded with $4.545 million from Council, and the pavilion received $1 million in funding from the Victorian Government as part of the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR)’s Local Sports Infrastructure Fund - Female Friendly Facilities.
Design of future masterplan items was also included in the project, with provision for car parking facilities and baseball field lighting in the future.