By Brendan Rees
Cranbourne West is celebrating after a new $7 million sporting precinct officially opened its doors to the community.
Opened on Sunday 18 August, the precinct at Barton Recreation Reserve, includes a pavilion, three full sized soccer pitches; one full sized cricket oval; three cricket practise nets; floodlighting; 130 sealed car parks; one electronic score board and walking trails.
The pavilion includes six female friendly change rooms with associated amenities, two unisex referee rooms, a first aid room, public female, male and unisex accessible toilets, a community room, kitchen, office, scorer room and storage
It also features a community room, which has been made available to Autism Spectrum Australia five days per week.
Autism Spectrum work with people of all ages and tailor a range of programs and support to help people with autism achieve specific planning and life goals.
Casey mayor Amanda Stapledon was said the facility, located at Alarah Boulevard and Elysian Place, was a win for the community.
“It gives me great pleasure to attend openings such as today as this is yet another facility within Casey that’s now available for our community to help them be active and healthy with their family and friends,” Cr Stapledon said.
“I encourage the community of Cranbourne West and beyond to make the most of this wonderful new addition to their neighbourhood.
“If you haven’t already visited, bring the kids down for a hit of cricket or put the dog on the lead and enjoy the new walking trails.”
Mayfield Ward councillor Garry Rowe said it was great to see soccer facilities being prioritised and incorporated into a great reserve such as Barton.
The opening adds to 70 other recreation reserves in Casey and will be home to the Barton United Football Club, a Football Victoria affiliated club that has relocated to the precinct.
The relocation of the club will allow for more growth and participation, while also encouraging more sporting events and teams into Casey.
Council tipped $3.6 million into the project with funding also provided by the State Government and Sport and Recreation Victoria.
