Baxter Park Pavilion upgrade set to kick off after tender is awarded
Published on 24 February 2023
Major redevelopment and expansion work to upgrade the pavilion at Warragul’s Baxter Park will soon kick off after Council awarded the $1.9 million construction contract to local company, James G Morrison Building Contractors.
The exciting project will see the existing, outdated pavilion brought in line with current sporting standards and introduce additional female friendly facilities to cater for Baw Baw’s growing sporting clubs.
In the lead up to the pavilion construction beginning, works to realign drainage and sewer pipes are currently underway at the site. With the contract now awarded, the second stage of upgrade works to the pavilion will begin and will deliver:
- Home and away player changerooms and amenities.
- Officials changeroom and amenities.
- Pitch level storage shed.
- First aid room.
- Public toilets.
- Accessible public toilet with baby change facilities.
- Office space.
- Utility/cleaner's room.
- Undercover spectator viewing area.
- Accessibility improvements.
The $1.9m investment is the second major project to be undertaken at the reserve and will complete Council’s total overhaul and redevelopment of the sporting infrastructure at the site – ensuring high quality facilities are available for the community long into the future.
In 2021, Council funded the delivery of a $2 million upgrade to the playing surface which included a state of the art, FIFA certified, synthetic soccer pitch – a first for Baw Baw. The project included ancillary items such as compliant access ramp, fencing, playing equipment and more.
Works to upgrade the pitch lighting and improve the car park will also be completed under a separate contract and the finishing touches to this multi-million-dollar upgrade project.
Baw Baw Shire Council has partnered with the Australian and Victorian Governments to fund the pavilion works, with $1,970,054 received from the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program and $1million received from the Local Sports Infrastructure Fund.
Quote attributable to Mayor Cr Annemarie McCabe
“We look forward to working with Morrison Builders on the completion of this fantastic Council project for our sporting community.
The pavilion upgrade works at Baxter Pavilion, with the addition of female friendly facilities, are much needed and will improve the accessibility for players and sporting clubs now and into the future.”
Quote attributable to Cr Joe Gauci
"I am extremely pleased that Morrisons Builders, a family-owned business who have been in Baw Baw for many generations, has been awarded this contract”.
Part of the Baxter Park upgrade project saw us complete the synthetic pitch upgrades in 2021, a pitch that is renowned standard for this area and comparable to facilities seen across metro Melbourne. This is a great outcome for Baxter Park and we look forward to its completion.”
Quote attributable to Cr Jazmin Tauru
“Council plays an important role in providing facilities that encourages physical activity, which in turns supports positive mental health across our community.
This is an amazing council project that shows we are doing our part in promoting activeness and social inclusion for our residents.”
Image: Early works taking place at Baxter Park in preparation for the pavilion construction.
Image: The recently upgraded synthetic soccer pitch and existing pavilion at Baxter Park.