Photo: starweekly.com.au

Mayor of Brimbank, Cr John Hedditch said construction has started on the $850,000 facility which, once complete, will be game changer for sport at the reserve.

“The change rooms will include toilets, showers and change room areas that can accommodate men, women and juniors.

“This project, coupled with a further $340,000 investment in sportsground lighting on oval one which is also underway, means Bon Thomas Reserve will soon be able to accommodate sports clubs throughout the year for the first time ever,” Cr Hedditch said.

Currently, Bon Thomas Reserve has predominantly been used in summer by Deer Park and Sunshine cricket clubs, and for pre-season training.

Throughout winter there’s only been capacity to support a social winter cricket competition.

“I’m proud to say the change rooms and sportsground lighting are just the start of a list of game changing improvements flagged for the reserve,” Cr Hedditch said.

“Brimbank’s 2017/2018 Draft Budget, which is subject to adoption, includes a further $1.7 million for the redevelopment of the second sportsground, construction of a synthetic cricket wicket and additional floodlighting at the Reserve.

“There’s also a further $380,000 flagged for the sealing of the existing gravel carpark and installation of car park lighting, plus $220,000 for construction of a barbecue, drinking fountain, access paths and park furniture.”

“This can only mean great things for the future of local sport in Deer Park and Brimbank as a whole,” Cr Hedditch said.

The Bon Thomas Reserve change room and sportsground lighting projects are funded under Brimbank’s 2016/2017 Budget.

Works on the change rooms are expected to be completed by mid-March 2018.

The sports lighting installation is estimated to be complete in November 2017.

Sports and Recreation Victoria has contributed $100,000 funding towards the construction of the Bon Thomas Reserve change room construction.