Community sports facilities in Royal Park are being given a multi-million dollar upgrade, with City of Melbourne councillors considering final concept plans for the redevelopment of Brens and Ryder Pavilions.
The pavilions will be significantly redeveloped to provide universally accessible gender neutral change facilities and more room for the growing demand in community sport, particularly the growth in female participation in sport.
Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the pavilions would better cater for local clubs and community groups, whose feedback has been incorporated into the concept plans.
"We plan to invest funds to revitalise Brens Pavilion and Ryder Pavilion to create local jobs and provide a boost to community sport as they welcome back members after a difficult interruption to their seasons in 2020," the Lord Mayor said.
"We've talked to local clubs, and they've told us that they need better change rooms, better storage and more inclusive and accessible facilities.
"Everyone should feel included in community sport so we're planning to deliver eight gender neutral change rooms at Brens Pavilion and six at Ryder Pavilion.
"Prior to COVID-19 our sporting facilities were in high demand, with 375 community teams using them each week, including 90 teams made up of women and girls."
The pavilions cater to AFL, gridiron, rugby and cricket teams using the adjacent ovals. The designs nestle the pavilions into the Victorian Heritage Register-listed Royal Park.
Health, Wellbeing and Belonging portfolio lead Councillor Olivia Ball, said sustainable features will be included in the upgrades, including passive climate control through natural ventilation, double glazing on all windows, and wide eaves to shade the facade.
"The pavilions will be larger than the existing buildings to give our clubs more space, but will be nestled into the park and well-integrated with the surrounding environment," Cr Ball said.
"Solar panels will be used to power the pavilions and rain water will be captured for on-site reuse. At Brens Pavilion excess asphalt will be removed to make way for more trees and shrubs."
Councillors will decide between two concept plans for Ryder Pavilion, one of which is elevated further off the ground.
If endorsed, design plans for the pavilions will progress to landowner and heritage approvals, funding support will be explored and the project will go out for tender later this year.
The tender process for the neighbouring Western Pavilion is currently underway, with construction due to start in coming months.
