New pavilion brings together community and sport under the one roof

Bendigo's newest sporting precinct, Epsom Huntly Regional Sports Complex, will host an increasing number of sport and community events following the recent official opening of its new $3.8 million pavilion by Victorian Minister for Sport and Recreation Hugh Delahunty.

Minister Delahunty joined representatives from Football Central Victoria and members from several home clubs including TAC Cup - Bendigo Pioneers Football Club, Epsom Soccer Club, and Bendigo Miners Rugby Club to kick-start local celebrations marking the opening of the new community sports pavilion.

He explained "a key objective of the ... Government is to build healthy and active communities.

"To achieve this goal, we need high quality community facilities that not only encourage local people to play the sports they love but bring more people together to get more active more often. This new pavilion ticks all these boxes and more."

The new pavilion includes seven new change rooms, one of which is purpose-built to assist people with disabilities; kitchen and kiosk facilities; accessible toilets; first aid room; referee rooms; office; meeting and storage rooms plus a large function area for up to 200 people.

Minister Delahunty added "these facilities can better accommodate a broader range of local initiatives from umpire training, to player development.

"They enable clubs to cater for more community members, especially the increasing numbers of juniors, females and people with disabilities wanting to get involved.

"For example, multiple change rooms with accessible amenities give local sports like rugby, football, soccer, cricket, tennis, and netball the chance to expand their teams, grow memberships and build on local competition."

The Victorian Government contributed $500,000 towards the project from its Community Facility Funding Program while the City of Greater Bendigo contributed the $3.3 million balance.