Malvern East will soon be home to the City of Stonnington's biggest ever investment in sporting infrastructure, with work underway at Percy Treyvaud Memorial Park to create a precinct for local and community sport.
The two-year build will deliver four indoor mixed-use courts for netball and basketball, a new eight-rink synthetic bowling green, seven new tennis courts and new, contemporary sporting facilities and clubrooms for the current users - Chadstone Bowls Club, Chadstone Tennis Club, Chadstone Lacrosse Club, Chadstone Recreation and Civic Club and East-Malvern Tooronga Cricket Club.
Commemorating this important construction milestone, an onsite 'breaking ground' ceremony on 31 January was attended by Cr Jami Klisaris, City of Stonnington Mayor; Dr Katie Allen MP, Federal Member for Higgins; Kate Campbell on behalf of the Stonnington City Netball Association and Alan Jolly on behalf of Chadstone Bowls Club.
City of Stonnington Mayor, Cr Jami Klisaris, is excited to see this important project underway.
'This is a big moment for sport in Stonnington and is an investment of over $40m in our local clubs and people who want to play community sport,' said Cr Klisaris.
'Brand new indoor netball and basketball courts will address the gap in facilities for sports popular with girls and, teamed with contemporary new facilities for lawn bowls, tennis, lacrosse and cricket, will mean our local clubs can plan for an exciting future in Malvern East.
'We are very appreciative of the Australian Government for their $4 million contribution towards the project and the dedication of our local sporting clubs, who create opportunities for people to play, participate, volunteer and connect,' added Cr Klisaris.
Federal Member or Higgins, Dr Katie Allen MP said, 'As a mother of four and Higgins local for over four decades, I am thrilled to see this new sporting complex become a reality for Stonnington residents, thanks to a $4 million contribution from the Commonwealth Government.
'Our community has waited for this day to arrive, so we can celebrate what will be a fantastic community sporting hub that we can all enjoy,' said Dr Allen.
'This is a very exciting project,' said Alan Jolly from the Chadstone Bowls Club.
'I would like to thank Stonnington Council for listening to the community and including lawn bowls in what will be a truly world class facility serving the needs of multiple sporting groups.
'We are looking forward to moving into what will be a fantastic new home for many years to come,' added Mr Jolly.
Representing Stonnington City Netball Association, Kate Campbell said, "This facility is a lifeline for all court-based sports in Stonnington but particularly for netball, which has one of the highest female participation rates in team sport and has struggled for facilities.
'Most importantly, it's a wonderful community asset that brings together many sporting and recreational groups and enables all of us to grow our programs and cater for all genders and abilities within the community.
'We are grateful to Council and the Federal Government for their support in delivering what will be a hugely beneficial asset for the community,' added Ms Campbell.
Project background
This over $40m project, which has received $4m in support from the Australian Government, will also create an extra 1,000m² of public open space, upgrades to facilities in the park, and over 200 car parking spaces. Extensive landscaping and plantings will complement the works, including more than 65 additional trees.
Works are expected to be completed in late 2023. Regular visitors to Percy Treyvaud Memorial Park will be pleased to learn that the main oval and most of the park will remain open during the works, with only the construction area for sporting facilities fenced off.
Residents who live near Percy Treyvaud Memorial Park will be kept updated throughout the works.
