Mitchell Shire Council officials have confirmed social rooms at Kilmore’s JJ Clancy Reserve will remain until the completion of a new facility on the site.
Preliminary works for a $3.8 million integrated community facility and recreation hub at the reserve are underway, with the hub scheduled for completion in January.
The hub will house the reserve’s resident sporting teams, including Kilmore Football Netball Club, Kilmore Tennis Club and Kilmore and District Little Athletics Club.
Council demolished the former Clarrie Berry Pavilion in April, requiring footballers to use netball changerooms for most of the 2022 season.
The hub is planned to be built on the oval’s western wing, giving spectators a better view than the old clubrooms at the southern end of the ground offered.
Some Kilmore residents had voiced concerns over the social rooms being demolished, particularly before the new hub was complete, but council chief executive Brett Luxford dispelled their concerns.
“Demolition will not happen until the end of the project as agreed and strongly supported by user groups and the committee of management representatives,” he said.
“The social club building has helped to keep the site live for the 2022 winter football season and the 2022-23 summer Little Athletics season, however it’s not required for the future.
“The social club is a very old building, in poor condition and non-compliant with current building code.
“The demolition will help open the site up, reduce building clutter, improve carparking and traffic flow, pedestrian safety and improve integration between facilities at the reserve.
“These are key outcomes for the project and in line with the draft reserve masterplan layout agreed to by user groups and the committee of management.”
Mr Luxford said a masterplan for the reserve was ‘currently being finalised’.
As an ex member of the Clancy Reserve Committee of Management I have never been privy to seeing any Master Plan and I don’t support demolishing this community built building until full consultation with the Kilmore community has occurred. Regards Bob Humm.