Brooklyn Community Hall, HD Graham Reserve in Altona Meadows and Williamstown Cricket Ground will each get a new lease on life with contracts being awarded for all three projects.
The contracts, together valued at almost $8 million, will pave the way for works to begin in coming months. The upgrade works will not only transform each site but will also provide opportunities for local employment in a COVID-19 environment.
Brooklyn Community Hall
The Brooklyn community has been strong advocates for the redevelopment of the Brooklyn Community Hall and the community-led design development is set to begin in November. The preliminary concept plans for the Brooklyn Community Hall include refurbishing the existing hall to current standards as well as a new extension to the west to include:
- four multi-use spaces
- two small meeting pods
- storage rooms
- community kitchen and
- a new central entrance foyer connecting the hall and the extension
The Brooklyn community, including user groups, will continue to be consulted throughout the project which is due for completion in September 2021. There will also be an expression of interest process launched shortly calling for representatives to participate in a stakeholder reference group for some key aspects of the detailed design.
HD Graham Reserve
The 19-hectare site acts as the gateway to the Truganina Park, 100 Steps of Federation and the internationally recognised Cheetham Wetlands and will soon cater for greater community sport activities and parkland. Contracted works, stemming from the HD Graham Reserve Master Plan will initially focus on works to enable soccer and cricket, including:
- the design and construction of a sports pavilion
- the construction of the sportsgrounds including irrigation and
- floodlighting
The contract works have been awarded to RMS Groundworks with works expected to be completed by mid-2021.
Williamstown Cricket Ground
The Williamstown Cricket Ground will receive an overhaul with the redevelopment of the existing sports oval, including:
- grading of the existing surface
- installation of new sand profile
- installation of a network of subsurface drains
- ·new automatic pop-up irrigation system
- boundary fencing and
- seating installation works
Works are expected to be complete by June 2021.
As stated by Mayor of Hobsons Bay Cr Colleen Gates
"COVID-19 has created economic upheaval for Victorians and indeed for our community. Awarding these contracts and beginning works now allows us to invest in the future of Hobsons Bay by providing short-term employment whilst establishing community infrastructure that will be used for years to come.
"Gathering places such as sporting facilities, community halls and open spaces play an integral role in the well-being of our residents. It will be fantastic to see these sites transformed with upgraded facilities that the whole community will be able to enjoy as COVID-19 restrictions ease."
