$4.5 million Princess Park WB Hunter Pavilion works get underway
By Aaron Cordy
CONSTRUCTION of the new Princess Park WB Hunter Pavilion (PPP) got underway on Monday, February 2, with the official sod turning.
Moretto Building was awarded the contract last year, which will be raised above flood waters, providing a modern space for community sport.
While the temporary changerooms have served user groups well, Mayor Councillor Shane Sali, said it was fantastic to see construction begin on the new WB Hunter Pavilion.
“The new pavilion will play an important role in bringing people together at Princess Park and ensuring grassroots community sport can be enjoyed by everyone. Council understands the importance of sport, and we are proud to continue investing in our local facilities,” he said.
Home of the Shepparton Youth Club United Cricket Club (SYCUCC), and Shepparton Swans Football and Netball Club (SS), the outdated pavilion was heavily damaged in the October 2022 floods. At the time, it was suggested that the ground be abandoned and that the clubs seek new homes at other local sporting precincts. But the clubs held firm, and with the support of Great Shepparton City Council, Netball Victoria, Cricket Victoria and AFL Victoria, they were able to secure the $4.5 million for the project.
Being one of the more picturesque sporting grounds in the Goulburn Valley was not the only reason SS President Jarrod Sutherland would not give up on PPP as their home ground.
“There were discussions initially about us moving to other grounds and this sort of thing, but I’m glad that we were able to ensure that we stayed here for this time until we ended up getting some new rooms,” said Jarrod.
“We had the train at Rumbalara out the road there, and which was great of Rumbalara to allow us to use their ground while this ground was being refurbished… During that time, we did have trouble getting kids to make it to training, because a lot of them walk straight from school down the street and into the ground. A lot of people don’t realise that all of a sudden, when they’ve got to get a car, and they’ve got to get a parent to try and take them, some of them just don’t make it.”
The new pavilion is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. For more details, visit https://greatershepparton.com.au/princess-park-multi-use- events-pavilion.
