Work has commenced on Box Hill's first-ever sport and recreation reserve.
Machinery is now onsite and working towards transforming the 5.3 hectare location, on Brindle Parkway, into two full-sized rectangular playing fields that can also be used as a cricket oval. The reserve also includes two practice cricket nets, as well as a basketball half court, amenities building, a children's playground with picnic facilities and a carpark for 130 cars.
In addition to this, the reserve will also feature a nature walk and shared pathways that will be surrounded by native trees and plants, and connect to the wider Shire pathway network.
Mayor of The Hills Shire, Dr Peter Gangemi said this was an exciting step forward to bring new facilities online for the growing Box Hill community.
"We are so excited to begin construction at Box Hill's first sport and recreation reserve," Mayor Gangemi said.
"This project will deliver the sport and recreational facilities that this new community needs – now and into the future. It also complements Council's on-going investment into providing quality sporting facilities that promotes health, wellbeing and community connectedness," he added.
The next phase of construction involves importation of soil to reach the required design level, and this will happen between January and February 2023.
Mayor Gangemi said that residents will notice work taking place in this period, as well as trucks entering and exiting the site and using the surrounding road network.
"We will be taking advantage of the school holiday period, which usually has lower traffic levels, to get as much done as possible, without overly impacting residents," Mayor Gangemi said.
"I want to thank residents for their patience and understanding, and I look forward to people using this new sports complex very soon," he added.
The new reserve is anticipated to be open in mid-2024, weather permitting.
