THE Laurie Green Pavilion at Lancefield Park has received a major upgrade thanks to the Lancefield community.
Funded and built entirely through the financial generosity, time and commitment of local businesses, tradespeople and community members, the redevelopment features a massive indoor soft-floor training space complete with floor-to-ceiling netting, a fully equipped gym, and brand-new changerooms for both senior and junior sporting teams.
Lancefield FNC president Chris Dynon said the facility will provide Lancefield’s footballers, netballers and broader community groups with modern spaces to prepare, train and connect.
“This has been a massive effort from an amazing group of people who are passionate about making sure Lancefield and its community groups have access to facilities that are often taken for granted in larger towns,” Mr Dynon said.
“There was no external funding for this project. It simply reached the point where the community couldn’t wait any longer, so local people and businesses stepped up. They opened their wallets, donated materials, gave up countless hours of their own time and just got in and made it happen. We can’t say how grateful we are to them.”
Mr Dynon also said the indoor warm-up and training space will provide a huge benefit for teams during winter and wet weather, while also creating opportunities for junior programs and community groups to stay active year-round.
“For years our facilities haven’t been at the level they should be. This project changes that,” he said.
“The indoor warm-up area is built to AFL standards, which aligns with the experience of several of our coaching and support staff who come from AFL backgrounds. For a small community club, that’s incredibly exciting.”
While the changeroom redevelopment marks a major step forward for Lancefield Park, Mr Dynon said it is just the beginning of a longer-term vision for improving facilities across the precinct.
“There’s still more work to be done with amenities around the park, but this is a huge step in the right direction,” he said. “It shows what can be achieved when a community pulls together.”
