By JARROD POTTER
ANOTHER sporting landmark on the Greaves Reserve map was officially opened on Saturday as the City of Greater Dandenong unveiled the redeveloped Alan Carter Pavilion.
After undergoing a significant upgrade – courtesy of the council’s $1.34 million contribution to the Dandenong facility – the pavilion will be a year-round haven for the region’s cricket, soccer and rugby league players.
The three major tenants – Dandenong Women’s Cricket Club, South East Titans Rugby League Club and White Star Dandenong Soccer Club – are set to benefit greatly from the pavilion renovations.
The works included the refurbishment and extension of the existing pavilion and improvements to change rooms, shower and toilets as well as a multi-purpose space, canteen, commercial kitchen, storage rooms, first aid room and umpires rooms.
The pavilion was opened by Mayor Heang Tak, who believes the facility is a boon for Greater Dandenong and will encourage residents to come along and try out the tenant sports at the reserve.
“It’s a fantastic venue for our sports so that our residents near and far can come and help have a healthy lifestyle,” councillor Tak said. “We’ve been waiting for a long time and today is the day we’ve come to celebrate at the start of the year and the start of the season.”
Dandenong WCC coach Cathryn Fitzpatrick said the redevelopment will improve the club’s professionaliam as well as cater for even more junior players from the south eastern suburbs.
“Being involved in community sport is exactly that – community,” Fitzpatrick said. “I know we’ve got an elite program running – in that we’ve got Australian players and Women’s’ BBL players out there – but this is really about bringing the young girls through.
“It’s a safe place and will change the dynamics of our training … it’s a vibrant precinct here and it’s long overdue, but it’s fantastic.”
With five fields, tennis courts and the Gloria Pyke Netball Complex, Greaves Reserve stands as one of the biggest and most inclusive sporting facilities in the state.
The opening of the pavilion also included the presentation of the Redderz Cup, held in memory of Carey ‘Redderz’ Cook who died when she was shot working as a nurse at the Mercy Private Hospital.
The council is set to start its next sporting facility project this year – a $10 million soccer development for Tatterson Park in Keysborough.
