Stribling Reserve is Lorne’s major open space recreation facility, with key user groups including the Lorne P-12 College, Lorne Football Netball Club (LFNC), Lorne Men’s Shed and the local community. LFNC is the town’s oldest recreational club and holds nine home games at Stribling Reserve each season, including a marquee Easter Saturday match which attracts up to 5000 spectators. Construction will begin on a new main pavilion at the reserve in early 2021, replacing the existing facility. The new pavilion will provide new amenities and community meeting and function spaces for all to enjoy. The new pavilion will increase from a single storey to double storey building to accommodate all required spaces and will be a feature and centrepiece of Lorne’s community facilities. The ground floor will include change rooms and amenities for use by the school and LFNC, public toilets, an accessible toilet, an office, first aid/trainers’ room, umpire amenities, storage and a canteen and drinks kiosk. The second storey will include a large social and community meeting and function space capable of hosting events for up to 240 people. It will also include a balcony, kitchen/bar facilities and scorers’ room. The existing basketball stadium will remain as is with a slight increase in storage space. The reserve’s new netball pavilion is on schedule for completion by the end of January 2021.
Concept plans for upgrading of the main pavilion at Lorne’s Stribling Reserve are available for public viewing and comment.
They show a fully accessible double storey building on the site of the old single storey structure, providing space and amenities for broad community use and enjoyment. Construction will mark the final step of a $6.5 million Stribling Reserve Pavilions Redevelopment which has resulted from a partnership between community members, the Australian Government and Council.
“These redevelopments will add immense value to Stribling Reserve as Lorne’s major open space recreation facility and community hub, with flexible spaces available for all,” Cr Gary Allen said. “It will truly be a centrepiece at the heart of town. “We are excited to be presenting these plans for viewing and comment and look forward to this community vision becoming reality.”
The project is being funded in partnership, with $3.25 million from the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund being matched by a contribution from Council of $2.75 million and the Lorne community $500,000. Stribling Reserve’s Masterplan was endorsed in 2017, a product of an innovative partnership between Lorne community members and Council.
Redevelopment of the pavilions follows improvements at the reserve during the past few years including resurfacing of the oval, and the addition of a new electronic scoreboard and light towers. Chair of Stribling Reserve Community Asset Committee, Peter Spring encouraged community members to look at the designs. “These plans have been nurtured in close partnership with our community and stand to serve our community well into the future.”
Building of the main pavilion is expected to be complete by the end of 2021. People can view the plans and provide comments via www.surfcoast.vic.gov.au by 21 December.
Surf Coast Shire
