Federal Member for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters says she’s proud she can kickstart the upgrades on the back of the strong ‘Unite The North’ campaign.

“This project will benefit the North Bendigo FNC, Bendigo Cricket Club, Golden City Football (Soccer) Club and the wider community,” Chesters said.

“These clubs have been campaigning for upgrades of their unusable and outdated clubrooms, so I’m proud to make this announcement today.

“This funding will go towards upgrades of the clubrooms and changerooms, catering to the  growing female player base.”

Out of the 240 players at the North Bendigo Football Netball Club 100 are female, yet they do not currently have appropriate facilities.

There’s also almost 30 female cricket players and around 20 female soccer players.

“This facility is one of many across Central Victoria that is not fit for purpose for the growing amount of women interested in sport, let alone the wider user group” Chesters said.

“It’s time we had a federal government that prioritised female friendly sporting facilities.

“The North Bendigo Recreation Reserve is utilised by more than 1000 locals across a range of sports, it’s time they had adequate changerooms.”

Unite The North chair Andrew Gibbs says today’s funding announcement is the start of their $7million Master Plan.

“The North Bendigo Oval clubrooms were built in 1970 and have been in need of replacement for many years. The plan is to replace this building with modern, accessible facilities that include change rooms for footy and netball players, and a multipurpose community and function space.

“The club rooms at Shadforth Park, which are currently shared by our three clubs, would also be refitted to bring it up to the required standards,” said Mr Gibbs.

“The redevelopment of the North Bendigo Recreation Reserve will strengthen our clubs’ connections to its members and the local community. It will provide more opportunities for people to participate in sport,” said Gibbs.

“Recreation reserves and community sports clubs make a vital contribution to the local area and people’s health and wellbeing.

“The local community will also benefit from an upgrade to the existing playground and landscape improvements that include a section of the Ironbark Gully Trail.

“We’re excited about the plans and delighted that Lisa Chesters is behind the redevelopment,” Gibbs said.