TALLANGATTA’S football and netball players are already enjoying the benefits of the $1.85 million upgrade of Rowen Park’s facilities which were officially opened yesterday.
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The Hoppers’ social and changerooms were used for a second time this season for its home match against Wahgunyah on Saturday.
The netballers are the biggest winners — they no longer have to use the nearby high school or their cars to change.
Their new rooms will be used by swimmers during summer.
The member for Benambra, Bill Tilley, and Towong mayor Mary Fraser were at the opening yesterday as the major funding contributors.
Rowen Park Revitalisation Group convenor Peter Haysey said the community had also played its part.
“The building it replaces has been here since the 1950s,” he said.
“It should have been condemned 30 years ago. The new one is state of the art.
“To have a $1.8 million facility is pretty amazing for a town the size of Tallangatta.
“The players have never seen anything like it.”
Mr Haysey said the biggest plus was the creation of a major function venue for the town, complete with a commercial kitchen.
The state government provided more than $878,000 for the redevelopment.
Towong also chipped in $536,000 with groups and businesses making cash and in-kind contributions of $430,000.
Mr Tilley said the pavilion, netball court and pool upgrades complemented Rowen Park’s playing fields.
“The addition of this high-quality infrastructure opens a range of new sport and event opportunities for clubs like the Tallangatta Football-Netball Club, cricket and swimming clubs as well as schools, and the community,” he said.
“This project has also involved an impressive level of consultation, with the Tallangatta community getting involved during the development of the precinct.
“Since it was established in 2011, the regional growth fund has delivered almost $400 million, generating more than $1.6 billion of investment across more than 1400 projects.”