By Mitchell Clarke
Pakenham’s newest sporting reserve, which is set to become a “new focal point” for the growing area, will soon open to the public.
Local Government Minister Adem Somyurek, Bass MP Jordan Crugnale and Eastern Victoria MP Harriet Shing joined Cardinia Shire Council mayor Jeff Springfield for a site tour of the James Bathe Reserve.
The site includes two ovals, two netball courts, a community and sports hub, a playground with skate facilities, multi-purpose cricket practice nets, a multi-use ball court, walking paths and barbecue areas.
The community and sport hub building was designed for both community and sporting use, and includes bookable community spaces, sporting social space, meeting rooms and a kitchen.
MP Jordan Crugnale said the reserve redevelopment will become a “focal point” for the growing Pakenham community.
“It’ll be a brilliant gathering place for not just sporting activities but also community events, programs and meeting places,” she said.
“With the John Henry Primary School already there and the new secondary college being built, it’s more space for activities and compliments the IYU Reserve down the road.”
While exact dates of opening are yet to be confirmed by Cardinia Shire Council, it’s anticipated the playground area, community and sports hub and netball courts will open in “early 2020”.
The grass on the ovals is currently being established and is set to be ready for sport use in the summer of 2020-21.
A new football and netball club, the Cardinia Tigers, will be based at the reserve, and a new cricket club is also set to call it home.
Mayor Jeff Springfield said the new reserve will provide a wealth of community health and wellbeing benefits, as well as new participation and social opportunities.
“Council is excited to provide our community with such a wonderful reserve, which encourages social connectedness by offering spaces for our residents to gather and participate in activities and programs,” Cr Springfield said.
The recreation reserve master plan was developed with council working alongside local community and user groups, the Department of Environment, Water, Land and Planning (DELWP) and Sport and Recreation Victoria.
Cardinia Shire Council funded $10.3 million for the project with $500,000 assistance from the State Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund.
James Bathe Reserve is located at 67 Caversham Drive, Pakenham.
