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An $800,000 funding boost from the Victorian Government’s Local Sports Infrastructure Fund has secured the redevelopment of Bellbird Park’s main football (soccer) pitch in the Baw Baw Shire.

With the total project valued at $1.36 million dollars, the newly secured funds will cover the majority of works, with Council contributing the $560,000 balance.

Works will see complete reconstruction and upgrade of the playing surface. Currently during winter, poor drainage and surface issues impact the ability to train across the whole surface, maintenance is challenging, and matches are at risk of being cancelled. 

The new sand profile surface will increase the carrying capacity of the pitch year-round. It will improve playing and training conditions, improve safety and meet increasing demand for football,  the growth of the Drouin Dragons Soccer Club and Drouin’s growing population. 

Council has an ongoing investment at the Bellbird Park sporting precinct to future-proof the facility ensuring it meets growing demand driven by increased sporting participation and population growth.

The revamped soccer pitch will coincide with construction of the new $4.13 million multi-use pavilion jointly funded by Council and the Victorian Government which is due for completion in mid-2023.

Baw Baw Mayor Michael Leaney enthused “we’re thrilled to improve the soccer facilities at Bellbird Park to keep up with growing demand for participation from all ages. These upgrades further complement Council and the State Government's $4.1 million investment in a multi-use pavilion and community events space at the facility.

“We thank the Victorian Government for their continued investment in Bellbird Park helping us to maximise its potential as a main sporting hub in Baw Baw Shire.”

Drouin Dragons Soccer Club President Jason Beer added “the upgraded main pitch will be a game changer for the Drouin Dragons Soccer Club. It will complement the new Bellbird Park Pavilion and support the increasing number of soccer players at Drouin Dragons. 

“We currently cannot train on a third of the Pitch from July due to the unsafe conditions and the upgrade will allow us to use the pitch for both training and games all year round, including hosting Gippsland Soccer League finals.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Baw Baw Shire Council for their support for the Drouin Dragons and also the Victorian Government for their generous contribution to this project."

Works are expected to commence late 2022, with the project being completed by June 2023.

Image: Bellbird Park’s current soccer pitch set for a $1.36 million redevelopment to improve the playing surface and address ongoing drainage issues courtesy Baw Baw Shire Council

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