The Wilf Cox Pavilion’s upgrade could soon begin thanks to a $1 million grant from the Victorian Government to improve infrastructure and accessibility.
On Friday, July 12, Community Sport Minister Ros Spence announced the Wilf Cox Pavilion at the Kyabram Recreation Reserve was a recipient of a grant from the Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund.
In a visit to the Seymour Tennis Complex, Mrs Spence announced 26 new infrastructure projects to which the government would be granting funds.
The pavilion will receive a $1 million chunk of the total $20 million government investment into regional Victorian sports facilities to receive accessibility upgrades.
The upgrades include two netball change rooms and amenities, umpires rooms, an accessible toilet and an internal lift for wheelchair access to upper levels of the pavilion.
The fund is aimed at encouraging councils and clubs to design sporting facilities that catered to their communities.
Mrs Spence said the fund was essential for improving access to sport for all Victorians.
“The new Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund is about making sure all Victorians — regardless of their age, gender or ability — have access to high-quality sport and recreation facilities, no matter where they live,” she said.
State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said the funding ensured that the Kyabram community could experience “world-class sporting facilities” and “enjoy the sports they love for years to come”.
The Kyabram Recreation Reserve was listed in the 2024-25 Campaspe Shire Council budget as an ongoing project to upgrade the pavilion.
While council has committed $2.2 million to the project, the work was stalled awaiting extra funding to begin construction.
Campaspe Shire Mayor Rob Amos said council was pleased to be able to progress the upgrade of the pavilion with this funding.
“This grant is terrific news for the Kyabram community,” he said.
“The upgraded pavilion will not only serve our current residents but will also attract new players, visitors and sports enthusiasts from surrounding areas.
“Having state government support shows an understanding of the needs of rural communities.
“Often projects such as this are pushed back without the financial support of the state due to limited capital budgets available to council.”
Cr Amos said it was a “long-term goal” to improve accessibility to sporting facilities across the shire and encourage health and wellbeing for all.
“This is a long process and can not be achieved in a short period of time due to limited financial resources,” he said.
One improvement at the pavilion will see women’s change rooms implemented into the building, reflecting the growth in female sports.
“With the continuous change in sporting participants, it is important to be able to accommodate all current and future participants, encouraging physical health and wellbeing,” Cr Amos said.
“The growth in females in sports such as football and cricket has seen the change to sporting guidelines, resulting in the need for improved facilities.
“Accessibility of facilities for participants, spectators and community is a high priority for council.”
Cr Amos thanked the council officers who worked to secure the funding for the project.
“On behalf of council, I would particularly like to extend our sincere thanks to all of the organisations who provided letters of support to assist with our successful application,” he said.
“This upgrade will transform the Wilf Cox Pavilion into a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment to be utilised extensively by the local and surrounding communities.”
With the design stage already completed, the project is expected to start during this financial year.