General News
24 January, 2025
City Oval pavilion green-lit
A much-anticipated overhaul of facilities at Horsham City Oval has been funded in full.
Horsham Rural City Council (HRCC) announced on Wednesday that its application for $4.8 million from the Australian Government’s Growing Regions Program had been successful, meaning the project would be able to begin this year.
The grant will be paired with council funding to cover construction of a new community pavilion at the oval.
HRCC mayor Ian Ross confirmed that the project – valued at $9.6 million in total – would encompass developing a multi-purpose community pavilion, AFL-compliant change rooms, a food kiosk, ticket boxes and landscaping at the main precinct entrance.
"The new pavilion will replace outdated facilities, ensuring Horsham City Oval remains a premier
venue for key sporting and tourism events in the Wimmera region," Cr Ross said.
"The single-storey building will serve as a shared community space, featuring seating for up to 200 people, accessible amenities, catering and conference facilities and meeting rooms.
"The project also includes the construction of AFL-compliant multi-purpose change rooms, umpire amenities, a medical room, storage, a gym, public toilets and a covered verandah for an all-weather walkway and viewing area."
Cr Ross said a new north-west precinct area would be equipped with a food kiosk, a ticket box and landscaping; a second ticket box would be constructed at the oval’s southern entry; and a new south-west entry would be created.
Work is scheduled to start in the second half of this year, after HRCC considers tenders for the project.
Cr Ross said HRCC would collaborate with user groups such as Horsham Cricket Association, Horsham Football and Netball Club and other City Oval stakeholders to minimise disruptions during the construction period.
HRCC’s co-contribution of $4.8 million was allocated from council's capital works budget.
Development of the City Oval and Sawyer Park Concept Plan involved extensive community consultation from November 2020, including collaboration with a community reference group.
The process included meetings with user groups, face-to-face community engagement and a six-
week call for feedback before the final concept plan was endorsed by the general public and in turn adopted by council.
Thanks to combined state and federal funding of $5 million, a multipurpose events stage and two new netball courts have already been completed at the oval.
Additionally, a netball pavilion is under construction at the southern end of the precinct.
“The new community pavilion is a much-needed addition to Horsham City Oval," Cr Ross said.
"Securing funding for this project is a fantastic result for our community.
"We sincerely thank the Australian Government for its investment in our regional city, which will be appreciated for many decades to come.
“The Growing Regions Program is delivering fantastic projects for regional communities across
Australia and we are rapt that our regional city is among the recipients.”
Cr Ross said recognition should also go to members of the community reference group who contributed to the City Oval/Sawyer Park concept design process.
“The local community has been calling for ... new facilities at the Horsham City Oval, and I’m thrilled to be able to deliver (this) projects for the people," Senator Jana Stewart said.
The oval upgrade is one of two projects in western Victoria funded under the latest round of the Growing Regions Program.
The Commonwealth is also contributing $1.5 million to redevelop the Deledio Recreation Reserve in Dunnolly, between St Arnaud and Bendigo.
Growing Regions provides individual grants of between $500,000 and $15 million from a pool of $600 million nationally.