Dingley Cricket Club, Dingley Junior Football Club and Dingley Football Netball Club are set to benefit from a new Victorian Government backed sports pavilion now underway at Dingley Reserve.

Member for Clarinda Heang Tak today joined Kingston City Council Mayor, Cr Steve Staikos and local clubs to officially commence pavilion works, made possible by a Victorian Government investment of $4.5 million from the Local Sports Grants Initiative.

Home to local cricket, football and netball, the current pavilion facilities at the reserve have been struggling to cope with growing demand.

The project will deliver a new two-storey pavilion that will include additional change rooms, new multipurpose room, kitchen and community space, kiosk, and public toilets. The new pavilion will also have an elevated open terrace viewing platform.

Also, underway is a refurbishment and integration of the existing change room facility including new umpires change rooms as well as the relocation of the cricket storage shed closer to the cricket nets.

Once complete, the new pavilion upgrades will not only be a boost for local clubs and their players but will also provide new spaces for community groups to gather and meet and develop local programs.

The project is expected to be complete in late 2023.

Since 2014, the Victorian Government has invested more than $1.6 billion in community sport and active recreation infrastructure.

It is backed by the recent release of the Government’s Fair Access Policy Roadmap aimed at ensuring women and girls get equal access to community sport facilities across the state.

From playspace redevelopments to new pavilions, investments like these are all about creating jobs, stimulating local economies, and improving the health, wellbeing, and social outcomes for Victorian communities.

Mr Tak acknowledged Kingston City Council for its commitment and $1.75 million financial contribution to the project and the AFL for its $50,000 investment.

Quotes attributable to Member for Clarinda Heang Tak

“Grassroots sport in Dingley is booming, and it’s important that locals have modern and accessible facilities so people can get out and get active.”

“Sport and active recreation is not just good for our physical and mental health, it brings people together and builds communities.”