Diamond Creek new netball pavilion and resurfaced courts officially open

Nillumbik Shire Council’s new Diamond Creek netball pavilion and courts have officially opened following their $2.16 million surface upgrade.

The new pavilion provides unisex and accessible amenities for players and officials as well ramp access while eight outdoor courts have been resurfaced with acrylic plexi-pave.

The Nillumbik Force Netball Association has been integral to the success of the project. The Association has more than 100 teams and 1200 players. Clubs include Sacred Heart, Diamond Creek, Victoria Police, Eltham, Yarrambat, Panton Hill and Hazel Glen.

Nillumbik Shire Council which is located 25 km North-east of the Melbourne CBD, saw Nillumbik Mayor Frances Eyre and Councillors Peter Perkins, Natalie Duffy, Karen Egan and Geoff Paine join the official opening with officials, members, players and supporters of the Nillumbik Force Netball Association, whose seven member clubs call the netball courts home.

The netball pavilion was funded with $2.54 million from the Victorian Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund with $172,000 from Council and $80,000 from the netball association.

The courts’ surface upgrade was funded through a $1.96 million dollar grant from the Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program through the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions. Council contributed $196,000.

Nillumbik Mayor Eyre advised “I would like to thank the Victorian Government and our local MPs Danielle Green and Vicki Ward for their significant financial support and advocacy for this project as well as community sport and recreation across the Nillumbik and northeast region.

“This redevelopment – with the new pavilion and eight outdoor acrylic plexi-pave courts – has resulted in a first-class regional facility.

“Council’s most recent club development survey found that netball is the most popular sporting activity among women and girls in the Shire.

“But it’s vital our sports venues reflect the community we live in – with facilities that are inclusive and accessible for women and girls, as well as people with disability.

“The new pavilion has given us the opportunity to address the imbalance, providing unisex and accessible amenities for players and officials as well ramp access.

“We hope that by making these changes wherever possible, we can encourage more women and girls to be physically active, particularly as we try and move on from the pandemic.”