By Matthew Sims
Community Sport Minister Ros Spence has confirmed planning works would soon start to secure a funding agreement with Casey Council in regards to the pavilion upgrades at Grices Road Recreation Reserve in Clyde North.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday 21 June, Narre Warren MP Gary Maas sought additional information on the upgrade project from Ms Spence.
“I have been advocating for the upgrade of the reserve for a few years in support of Berwick Churches Soccer Club’s proposals and the tireless work of their president David Barrot and club stalwart Daniel Prins,“ he said.
“It was really fantastic to see the announcement of $1.2 million towards the upgrade of the pavilion as an election commitment, and it was so fantastic to see this confirmed in the state budget this year.
Mr Maas accused the Opposition as adopting a “US style of politics“ in a stoush concerning funding for the project shortly after the 2023-24 budget papers were released.
Berwick MP Brad Battin claimed that the State Government’s $1.2 million pledge for an upgrade to the Berwick Churches Soccer Club pavilion at the Grices Road Recreation Reserve in Clyde North had been cut from the budget.
Mr Maas said he recently visited the club to discuss the project with Mr Barrot and Mr Prins.
“They were very excited with the outcome and are looking forward to the next stages of planning,“ he said.
“This announcement has certainly given the club and many of my constituents a boost while catering for our growing and diverse area with modern facilities, which will allow for greater access to the club’s training and activities as well.“
Ms Spence said the $1.2 million funding commitment towards the project was “really vital“.
“It is quite an ageing pavilion, and indeed it is much in need of this upgrade to its ageing facilities,“ she said.
“What will happen now is my department will work with the City of Casey to execute a funding agreement.
“That agreement will outline a time line for commencement and completion of those works and indeed a scope of the project.
Ms Spence said the upgraded Grices Road Recreation Reserve would be a “really outstanding asset“ which would be welcomed by the broader Clyde North community.
“We are really committed to working with the council to see that this project is delivered,“ she said.
“It is going to provide a really outstanding new facility for everyone who uses those facilities at the reserve.
“It will boost participation, because there will be a new facility that is going to be a drawcard for the community.“
Casey Council active communities manager Angie Peresso said discussions had not yet commenced and the council had not yet allocated any funding towards the project in its 2023-24 budget.
“A funding agreement between the State Government and the City of Casey is the first step when election commitments are made, with project scope and timelines to be determined,“ she said.
“Council will work closely with summer and winter tenant stakeholders to understand how the pledged level of funding can be used most effectively to deliver meaningful facility upgrades.
“We look forward to commencing discussions about the Grices Road Recreation Reserve pavilion upgrade with the State Government.“
