Wellington Shire Council Mayor Ian Bye yesterday opened a $2.54 million redevelopment of Stephenson Park Recreation Reserve in Sale.
The redevelopment provides sports participants at Stephenson Park with accessible facilities including new female friendly changerooms, umpires rooms, social rooms, first aid, canteen and toilets.
Cr Bye said the project would allow greater sports participation by people of all abilities in a variety of sports.
Stephenson Park is the home to Sale City Football Netball Club, Sale Baseball Club, Sale and District Touch Football and Longford Cricket Club, as well as the Sale Umpires Association.
"The wellbeing of our community is a key priority for Council, and we want to encourage everyone to be able to play or participate in sports," Cr Bye said.
"It's not only a great way to stay fit both physically and mentally, but also a fantastic social outlet which get people involved in their local communities.
"Unfortunately, the old facilities here did not cater very well to women and were long overdue to be brought into the 21st Century.
"These new, modern facilities are a lot more inviting and welcoming to all people and will allow for better participation by players, umpires, officials and spectators."
Minister for Community Sport, The Hon Ros Spence said "By investing in more inclusive change rooms and bathrooms, we're helping to boost female participation in community sport."
"The Andrews Labor Government is making sport more accessible, welcoming and inclusive for all, and particularly the growing number of women and girls playing sport."
Wellington Shire Council provided $1.4 million for the project, Sport and Recreation Victoria $800,000, with a generous contribution of $250,000 from the John Leslie Foundation and a $50,000 community contribution from the user groups.
