Devlins Road Active Open Space at Oakdene Estate is ready for construction and commitment.
The game plan is in place and Ocean Grove is ready to kick goals at Devlins Road Active Open Space.
Construction of the new soccer precinct next to Oakdene Oval could commence in coming months following detailed design and tender processes.
The City of Greater Geelong has already committed $8 million and the Australian Government $5 million to get the ball rolling on delivering the Devlins Road Reserve Masterplan.
Now it's time for Victorian election candidates to pitch in and promise the remaining $5 million needed to complete the project in full, which would include:
- modern community sporting pavilion
- two natural turf soccer pitches
- 68m x 68m synthetic soccer pitch
- 100 lux LED competition-standard sports lighting
- car parking
- play space
- shared access paths, landscaping, fencing and open space improvements.
The Devlins Road Active Open Space project responds to growing participation pressures, with Ocean Grove Soccer Club having outgrown its facilities at Shell Road Reserve. Relocating the club to Oakdene Estate is a key recommendation of the City's Ocean Grove Sporting Infrastructure Plan and will free up capacity for future football, netball and cricket priorities at Shell Road.
Council will consider the recommended construction tender applicant at the October council meeting later this month.
Connewarre Ward Councillor Elise Wilkinson
Devlins Road is a transformational project for Ocean Grove and the broader Bellarine Peninsula community - and it can't wait.
We already have $13 million committed by the City and Australian Government, which is why we're pushing ahead with construction. We're asking the state government to pitch in the final $5 million to get it done in one hit.
This is not the time to deliver the project in bits and pieces or keep moving the goalposts. The community deserves a complete, match-ready precinct that meets today's needs and is built for future generations.
Completing the reserve in one coordinated build is the most efficient and cost-effective approach. It will save money, reduce disruption and deliver a far better outcome for the community. Importantly, it would support the earliest possible relocation of Ocean Grove Soccer Club and unlock future sporting infrastructure priorities at Shell Road Reserve.
Ocean Grove Soccer Club President Peter Wilkinson
We're really excited for the next chapter of the Ocean Grove Soccer Club at Devlins Road, with construction getting closer. Our club continues to experience strong participation growth, and our current facilities are operating beyond capacity. We know this new precinct will be a gamechanger for current players and generations to come.
We've come this far and we want to keep the momentum going and get the job done in one go. A final funding commitment would help us deliver an important win for players, families and volunteers.
For clarification, Ocean Grove Soccer Club president Peter Wilkinson and Connewarre Ward Councillor Elise Wilkinson are not related.
