By MARK HEENAN
THE wider Ocean Grove community, club sporting representatives and political figures came together for the historic $6 million Shell Road sports pavilion opening on 13 March.
Ocean Grove-based Beangala Ward Councillor Jan Farrell, who was master of ceremonies, officially opened proceedings with a ceremony service at midday on Sunday.
Councillor Farrell was joined by Federal Member for Corangamite Sarah Henderson, Geelong Mayor Darryn Lyons and State MP for Bellarine Lisa Neville for the glittering community day opening.
Councillor Jan Farrell said the project was the final stage of the 2010 Shell Road Reserve Master Plan to create a new sports hub and accommodate Ocean Grove’s rapid population town growth.
“I am thrilled that council has been able to help deliver this project for the local community,” she said.
“The pavilion is going to be a fantastic space not just for those playing sport but for the whole community to enjoy.”
Mayor Lyons said the state-of-the-art multi-purpose facilities would help boost participation numbers especially at junior levels in soccer, football, cricket and netball.
“The prominent location of the Shell Road sporting precinct will encourage more people to participate, attend and get involved in local sporting competitions,” he said.
The pavilion was jointly funded by the City of Greater Geelong, $2.5 million and the Federal Government, $3.5 million, with council managing construction of the project.
Federal Member for Corangamite Sarah Henderson said it was a wonderful achievement for the Ocean Grove community.
“There is a real sense of excitement in the community, particularly among members of the three local sporting clubs, Ocean Grove Football Netball Club, Surfside Waves Soccer Club and Ocean Grove Cricket Club,” Ms Henderson said.
State MP for Bellarine Lisa Neville who provided funds towards the construction of a new electronic scoreboard and new interchange benches and netting behind the goals, said it was a vital piece in the Ocean Grove based sporting puzzle.
“It is the last piece in the puzzle and it is a (project) that has gone back a number of years,” Ms Neville said.
“Without the loud voices of the community, without people coming together in the best interests of the community, these things would not happen.”
Ocean Grove Football Netball Club president Tony Potter said the opening was well attended and great for all sporting clubs, with soccer and AFL clinics taking place on day.
“We are very excited going forward working with the community and it was a great day,” Potter said.
