General News
3 August, 2023
Rec hub closer to reality
SKIPTON’S Recreation Reserve has been endorsed by council for the Australian Government’s Growing Regions grant program, bringing the Skipton Community and Recreation Hub another step closer to reality.
SKIPTON’S Recreation Reserve has been endorsed by council for the Australian Government’s Growing Regions grant program, bringing the Skipton Community and Recreation Hub another step closer to reality.
The expression of interest, which council prepared and lodged, seeks funding to restore the reserve’s aged facilities and provide a community space.
Facilities at the Skipton Recreation Reserve, which is the most valued asset in the township, are around 40 years old and no longer fit for purpose.
This is despite the reserve being the only place able to support large meetings and events since the flood events in 2010-11 and October 2022.
The facilities also do not meet state sporting association facility guidelines, even though Skipton Recreation Reserve hosts five AFL football teams, an Auskick program, seven netball teams, a NetSetGo program and four cricket clubs.
The Skipton Recreation and Community Hub project will involve various works, including:
• Demolition of existing player amenities;
• Building a new community pavilion with accessible and female-friendly change rooms;
• Installation of security lighting, storage options for first aid, cleaners and utility rooms, and accessible toilets;
• Upgrades to main oval to meet AFL guidelines;
• Parking and access works;
• External hard and soft landscaping using water sensitive and sustainable design principals; and
• Provision of accessible, all-abilities play area pathways and surfaces in external community areas.
The project is forecast to cost between $4 million and $6.5 million, with council previously allocating $300,000 and the community identifying a contribution of $150,000 towards the project.
The hub project will aim to significantly improve the accessibility and amenity of the reserve facilities, improve visitor experience, encourage community connection, and provide economic generation and employment opportunities.
Reallocated funds from council’s Facilities Design grant program will be used to fund updated quantity surveying and costings, with the data from the Building Better Regions application considered outdated.
Through the Growing Regions program, up to 90 per cent of the project could be funded by the government due to the October 2022 flood event.
Councillor Nick Cole said the Skipton community has been “incredible” and has done a “huge” amount of work in the project.
“They’re all behind it; every time we go up there, they want to talk about what’d going on, their plans and such for the community,” he said.
“It’s a big deal for Skipton; it’s a big deal for the shire. It’s a big deal for everywhere.
“It’s a much-needed project to bring it up to speed, so I congratulate the Skipton community for keeping this on the agenda and pushing strongly and keeping us all going towards it.”
Cr Geraldine Conheady said there was a lot of engagement with the community of Skipton.
“A lot of effort has gone into making plans so far, and we’ve had a meeting recently with the committee up there and they’re certainly highly committed to this project,” she said.
“They’ve got their eyes on the future and their eyes on community need.
“They’re energetic, they’ve got vision, and the project’s effectively shovel-ready.”