Casey Senior Citizen of the Year Pat Whaley, Cranbourne Junior footballer Nick McPhillips and Casey Manager Arts and Leisure Robyn Bowen attended the official opening of the new facilities at J & P Cam Reserve.Left: Cranbourne Junior Football Club member Tony McPhillips and Casey mayor Neil Lucas happily unveil the $350,000 pavilion extension.By Alison Noonan
THE oncecramped and dilapidated change facilities at Cranbourne’s J & P Cam Reserve have been transformed.
The twooval reserve, home to the Cranbourne Junior Football Club and Cranbourne Cricket Club, had for years struggled to meet the increased demands of members with only two change rooms.
Cranbourne Junior Football Club president Glen Weir said user groups called on Casey Council to upgrade the facility and were delighted when the $350,000 improvements were completed in June.
He said council extended and refurbished the existing pavilion and added two change rooms and disabled toilets.
“We put up with cramped and unsuitable conditions for a number of years,” Mr Weir said.
“We had a number of teams trying to use just two change rooms. The clubs grew that quickly that they outgrew the facilities,” he said.
The renovations were officially opened at a special ceremony last week attended by user groups, residents and Casey Council representatives.
“Things are going along swimmingly now,” Mr Weir said.
“These renovations should set us up for the next 10 years at least.
“The facilities that our players and spectators now enjoy are first class,” he said.
Casey Manager Arts and Leisure Robyn Bowen said the cost of the works came out of council’s 2004/05 budget.
She said the new facilities would enhance and improve the entire reserve.
Pictures: Stewart Chambers.
