Redeveloped Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre officially opens

Nillumbik Shire’s Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre was officially opened today and since having undergone its $16.5 million redevelopment, the Centre, managed by Aligned Leisure, has attracted thousands of visitors.

The centre was the second-largest infrastructure project undertaken in the Shire, after the Eltham Leisure Centre.

Nillumbik is renowned as the Green Wedge Shire, located 25 kms north-east of Melbourne.

The redevelopment has seen the centre, first built in 1976, completely transformed. The existing building has been extensively refurbished with an extension more than doubling the centre’s original size. Features include:

• Four new sports courts, bringing the total number of courts to eight

• New reception and administration area with café

• New and refurbished change rooms and toilets

• Expanded gym with 24-hour access

• Improvements to ensure accessibility for all.

Nillumbik Leisure Manager Liam O’Brien from Aligned Leisure said the centre was fast becoming a key hub for a diverse range of activities and health and wellbeing options.

O’Brien advised “from table tennis, badminton, dodgeball and of course basketball and netball, DVSFC caters for all. Congratulations to all involved in the concept, development and completion of this amazing project.

“Aligned Leisure are excited to deliver a range of exciting opportunities in the future on behalf of Nillumbik Shire Council and the broader community.”

Nillumbik Shire Deputy Mayor Ben Ramcharan and Councillors joined Eltham MP Vicki Ward, representing Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence, Bundoora MP Colin Brooks, centre managers Aligned Leisure, sporting associations and clubs for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Outside, visitors are greeted by a vibrant 40 metre mural by Indigenous artist Fiona Clarke that reflects on the importance of the centre as a gathering place for the community as well as improving health and wellbeing.

Deputy Mayor Ramcharan commented “I would like to thank the Victorian Government, who, through the Growing Suburbs Fund and Sport and Recreation Victoria have provided very generous support to help us create a truly world-class hub for our region.

“We’ve also worked closely with our leisure centre managers – Aligned Leisure – as well as all the local sporting associations and clubs who call this centre home.”

Blue Lake Ward Councillor Richard Stockman said the completed facility continued the revitalisation of the Civic Centre precinct adding “This, in many ways, is the crowning achievement in the revitalisation of the precinct. Along with the recently refurbished Diamond Valley Library and the playground and outdoor performance area, the redeveloped DVSFC will help ensure that the precinct is something of which the Apollo Parkways community – and indeed the broader Nillumbik community – can be rightly proud.”

“Aligned Leisure are excited to deliver a range of exciting opportunities in the future on behalf of Nillumbik Shire Council and the broader community.”

The Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre redevelopment has been funded with $6 million from Council, and $10.5 million from the Victorian Government comprising $8 million from Sport and Recreation Victoria and $2.5 million from the Growing Suburbs Fund.

For more information about opening hours and membership, go to the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre website 

Image top: ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre - Nillumbik Shire Deputy Mayor Ben Ramcharan and Councillors joined Eltham MP Vicki Ward, representing Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence, Bundoora MP Colin Brooks, centre managers Aligned Leisure, sporting associations and clubs for the ribbon cutting ceremony; Image above: the Centre's new courts