Casey has officially opened the Clyde Recreation Reserve following a $21.5 million redevelopment to expand the facility to better meet the needs of the large and growing community.
City of Casey chair of administrators Noelene Duff PSM was joined by council administrator Miguel Belmar, chief executive officer Glenn Patterson, Bass MP Jordan Crugnale MP, and members of the local sporting clubs to celebrate the project’s completion on Wednesday 17 April.
The existing Clyde Recreation Reserve was a small facility that no longer met the needs of the sporting clubs and growing community.
Following the major redevelopment, the reserve now boasts:
• Three AFL/cricket ovals with relocatable rugby union goalposts.
• Two netball courts.
• Eight tennis courts.
• Floodlighting to all areas.
• Four cricket practice nets.
• Car park with approximately 300 sealed car spaces.
• Spectator viewing.
• Shared recreational walking/cycling path network.
• A new pavilion with a community room and eight changerooms for the AFL, cricket, netball, and rugby union clubs.
• A new tennis pavilion.
• Playground and seating.
The project also includes a piece of public art created by artist Sangeeta Sandrasegar called “Beacon of Light a Meeting Point”, which will be installed in the coming months. The inspiration behind the design draws upon Toro, the Buddhist stone lanterns that have become a common feature of gardens across Australasia, and is intended to speak to the diverse cultural communities of Casey.
Ms Duff said the major redevelopment supports the council to better meet the significant demand for active open space in Casey’s growth area.
“Clyde and Clyde North’s population has tripled in the past three years. It is now home to over 50,000 residents, with more families moving to this developing suburb each year and this important upgrade will help local sports and community clubs expand and flourish,” she said.
“The new fit-for-purpose facilities deliver and respond to the needs of a diverse and growing community and create a breadth and depth of participation opportunities.
“There are enormous benefits for the Clyde community and surrounds in having the sports, recreation, health and education facilities and services that they need, close to home.”
The $21.5 million project was funded by a $3 million contribution from the State Government through the Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program, Development Contribution Plan, and council funds.
The facility is home to local sporting clubs the Casey Crusaders Rugby Union Club, Clyde Junior Football Club, Southern Warriors Cricket Club, Clyde Cricket Club, and the Clyde Tennis Club.
Speaking at the opening, the president of the Clyde Junior Football Club Craig Chapman shared how the new and improved facilities had contributed to their club’s growth, allowing them to introduce three girls’ teams this year.
“Developments like this are not just about bricks and mortar; it’s about creating opportunities and providing equal opportunities for girls and boys to play our great game of AFL and all the other sports that get to use these magnificent facilities,” he said.
“We’ve not only grown but doubled in size from last season because of the magnificent facilities. We’ve gone from less than 10 girls enrolled last season to approximately 50 this season and that’s an awesome achievement and something we wouldn’t have been able to do without the government providing support to us and the other local clubs.”
President of the Clyde Tennis Club Ken Blencowe, who has been part of the committee since the club was established in October 1979, said they had also experienced a jump in membership.
“Clyde Tennis Club had an open day in January, and we had over 300 people here on the day which was magnificent. We’ve never had that many people at our club before. It was great to see so many of the locals turn up to find out more about the club and see the facilities here,” he said.
The reserve is located at Vestfold Drive, Clyde, next to Clyde Creek Primary School, and adjoins the new Eliston Family and Children’s Centre.
