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Horsham City Oval vision continues to grow

A new single-storey community pavilion and change rooms will proceed at Horsham City Oval after a $4.8-million Federal Government grant was secured last week.

The project was successful in applying for $4,805,000 in funding under round two of the government’s Growing Regions Program.

The aim is to ensure Horsham City Oval is a premier venue for key sporting and tourism events in the Wimmera region.

Construction is set to begin in the second half of 2025, following a tender process.



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Horsham Rural City Council has welcomed the funding, which it will match for the $9.6-million project to build a multi-purpose community pavilion, AFL-compliant multi-purpose change rooms, a food kiosk, ticket boxes, and landscaping at the main precinct entrance.

The new pavilion will replace the two-storey Horsham Demons clubrooms building, and serve as a shared community space, featuring seating for up to 200 people, accessible amenities, catering and conference facilities and meeting rooms.

The project also includes the construction of umpire amenities, a medical room, storage, a gym, public toilets, and a covered verandah for an all-weather walkway and viewing area.

Additional developments include a new north-west precinct area with a food kiosk, ticket box, and landscaping as well as a second ticket box at the oval’s southern entry and a new south-west entry.

Horsham Mayor Ian Ross said the new community pavilion was a much-needed addition to city oval. 

“Securing funding for this project is a fantastic result for our community. We sincerely thank the Australian government for its investment in our regional city, which will be appreciated for many decades to come,” he said.

“Recognition should also go to members of the community reference group who were instrumental in the City Oval-Sawyer Park concept design process.

“The Growing Regions Program is delivering fantastic projects for regional communities across Australia, and we are rapt that our regional city is among the recipients.”

The council will collaborate with user groups such as Horsham Cricket Association, Horsham Demons Football and Netball Club and other stakeholders to minimise disruptions during the construction period.

Community consultation for the project started in November 2020, and included establishing a community reference group, meetings with user groups, face-to-face community engagement and a six-week public consultation period. 

The final concept plan was endorsed by the community reference group before being adopted by the council.

The Growing Regions Program is a Federal Government initiative that funds infrastructure – like cultural and sporting hubs, town precincts and parks – to build community and improve liveability in remote, rural and regional Australia. 

It provides funding of between $500,000 and $15-million for each project, with $600-million delivered nationwide under the program.  

Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said the government was focused on making regions ‘even better places to live by delivering the infrastructure that forms the social fabric of communities’. 

“It’s the places where people not only gather, but learn to participate in teamwork, to collaborate, and it’s critical to social cohesion,” she said.

Senator Jana Stewart said the community had called for the new facilities at Horsham City Oval, and she was thrilled to be able to deliver. 

“Having grown up in the region I know how important it is to have quality sporting facilities no matter what your postcode is. I can’t wait to see the budding young sports stars enjoying the facilities,” she said.

Member for Mallee Anne Webster congratulated all involved in the vision and investment in Horsham City Oval. 

“While it is long overdue, I am concerned the Labor government’s funding does not go far enough,” she said.

“I hope the project can be implemented in a way that allows further improvements in the future, so the upgrades are fit-for-purpose for the long-term benefit of the community.”

The community pavilion and change rooms project adds to the multipurpose event stage, two new netball courts and new netball pavilion currently under construction at city oval.

The entire January 29, 2025 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!

The entire January 29, 2025 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!