Sport
19 March, 2025
Concept plans unveiled
CONCEPT plans for a multi-million-dollar upgrade of facilities at the Cobden Recreation Reserve will be discussed at a public meeting next week.
Members of the reserve’s committee of management are inviting all community members to attend the meeting to view the concept plans and take part in an open discussion.
Regular consultations with each of the reserve’s user groups have been ongoing since around 2001 when the idea for a major upgrade was first mooted.
Since then the committee of management has welcomed input from all interested parties as to what upgrades were needed and the timeline for such.
According to committee members Wayne Robertson and James Green, now is the time for the project to start gaining momentum – and necessary funding.
“After years of discussions and meetings we now have a concept plan that we’d like to put to the community for discussion,” the pair said.
“It’s by no means the final design; it’s just an idea of what the new pavilion and surrounds could look like in the near future.
“We estimate that something like this could cost in the vicinity of six and a half to seven million dollars so we will be looking into grants that we can apply for, along with donations from the corporate and private sectors and our own fundraising efforts.”
The history of the recreation reserve dates back to as early as 1963 when brick change rooms were constructed at a cost of 8000 pounds.
Around 15 years later a major upgrade included draining and resurfacing the ground, removing trees, upgrading 10 tennis courts and adding a new grandstand and canteen.
In the early 1980s further improvements saw the addition of new social clubrooms upstairs and enhanced changerooms downstairs.
In the late 1980s netball changerooms were introduced to accommodate a growing popularity in the sport.
By 1992 a turf wicket was introduced.
“Several tennis courts were upgraded between 2012 and 2019 and in 2022 the Ellen Darcy Netball Shelters were constructed and the netball courts were resurfaced,” Mr Robertson said.
“So there’s certainly been a lot of progress over the years, since the first brick building of the 60s.
“Back then the facilities accommodated just one footy side; now we have seven football and 11 netball teams along with seven cricket sides and a huge number of tennis players.
“There’s also several local schools, community organisations and residents seeking a space for informal recreation.”
Mr Robertson said the diverse usage reflects the facility’s role as a community centrepiece, contributing to both structured sporting programs and broader social inclusion.
It is also regularly used for school athletic carnivals, sports days, school exams and community events, drawing participants from across the Corangamite Shire.
“The reserve also hosts local and regional sports competitions which brings visitors to the area and generates significant economic and social benefits.”
Operating seven days a week, with over 1800 participants utilising its grounds on a weekly basis, the Cobden Recreation Reserve truly is the heart of the community.
“The Cobden Football Netball Club alone supports over 220 members playing as part of seven football teams and Auskick programs including senior men’s, reserves, under 18s, under 16s, under 14s, under 12s, and under 10s.
“The club has previously entered a team in the Western Victoria Female Football League. Netball and around 100 members participate in 11 netball teams across junior and senior levels.”
Three senior men’s cricket sides and two senior women’s sides (along with two junior teams and Cricket Blast participants) also call the reserve home.
The Cobden Gift, first held in 2023, also draws a large number of competitors and visitors to the town.
“You can see by participation numbers just how well used this reserve is and how that usage has grown rapidly over the years,” Mr Green said.
“Now the facility needs to be brought up to modern day standards to meet need for demand.
“The current infrastructure, including the main pavilion and changerooms, present significant challenges that limit its functionality, accessibility and appeal to users.”
The reserve’s committee of management believes the pavilion and changerooms are outdated, with many facilities built decades ago and showing signs of wear and tear.
Cracked walls, dated finishes, insufficient insulation and lighting, tennis courts in need of resurfacing and lighting, small changerooms and social rooms and no dedicated space for indoor sports training are all areas in need of attention.
“Our outdoor training nets are also aging, lack proper lightning and offer no safe playing surface,” Mr Green said.
“The changerooms are outdated with no private spaces for female athletes, the showers are inadequate, access for those with disabilities is inadequate and the areas are poorly lit and ventilated.”
Storage space has also become a problem, with limited space to store equipment on-site.
“We have a growing list of health and safety issues that need to be addressed so we are very keen to get this project on the move as soon as possible,” Mr Robertson said.
“Next week’s public meeting will give everyone a chance to come and have a look at the concept plans, see where we’re at and to offer their thoughts and ideas.
“We welcome everyone’s input; this is a huge project requiring a big financial outlay and we want to do it right.”
The public meeting will be held next Thursday, March 27, at the reserve from 7pm. All welcome.
Read More: Cobden