Comely Banks Recreation Reserve is being built next to the new Bridgewood Primary School and early years centre in Bridge Road, Officer. The reserve will be located next to the school, providing a hub for community activities.
Once fully developed, the reserve will have 4 rectangular pitches (incorporating 2 sports ovals), cricket practice nets, 2 bowling greens, a multipurpose shared-use pavilion and community space, playground area and car parking facilities.
A Masterplan for the reserve and the adjoining school has been prepared. It aims to create an integrated education and recreation precinct that will provide a range of facilities and services for the community.
Funding
The $7.588 million community pavilion is jointly funded by Council ($4.088 million) and the Victorian Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund ($3.5 million).
Progress update
Construction of the community and sports pavilion started in October 2019 and is due to be completed in about October 2020. This is the first stage of the reserve’s development.
Works on the reserve and sporting areas is planned to start in 2020–21.
Benefits for the community
Comely Banks Recreation Reserve will provide a home for sports that use rectangular pitches including cricket, touch rugby and rugby league. The reserve will also provide facilities for a new bowls club at a later stage.
The multipurpose shared use pavilion will support sporting clubs and give community members greater access to and use of the reserve.
Located near the Princes Highway in Officer and surrounded by rapidly growing residential areas, this development will help serve the sport and recreation needs of Cardinia Shire residents into the future.