A new $multi-purpose sports facility has opened at Pontville.
The facility, costing over $6 million, promises to revitalise sport and recreation in the Brighton Municipality
The new Brighton Regional Sports Pavilion, funded by a $6 million federal government grant, with support from the Brighton Council, was officially opened today.
Located between the two main ovals at Pontville, the pavilion provides headquarters for the local cricket and football clubs. It will become a high-standard regional hub for sporting and recreational activity meeting the AFL-preferred facility guidelines for a regional facility and Cricket Tasmania’s guidelines for a premier facility.
The new, two-storey building includes a gymnasium, club rooms, meeting rooms, male and female change rooms, function space, dining areas and commercial kitchen.
Brighton Mayor Tony Foster said the opening of the new pavilion was the culmination of many years work by Brighton Council and its officers as well the local sporting groups that will now benefit from this facility and of course the contractors who have constructed the centre.
“It is gratifying to see council’s initial vision become a reality,” he said at the opening. “Already a major venue for cricket and football and other sports, this pavilion will take this sporting complex to the next level and give our municipality a facility that is the envy of many.
“It has created a revitalised multi-purpose centre to cater for the needs of local sports clubs, particularly providing modern, upgraded facilities for the Brighton Football and Cricket Clubs and the wider community.”
He noted that the new pavilions provided improved facilities for the increasing numbers of girls and women who are participating in sporting activities.
“The new facilities will enable the clubs to attract and retain girls and women players,” said Foster.
“This will strengthen the clubs by increasing the diversity of their player bases and provide new opportunities for women and girls in the region to play football and cricket.
“Brighton is a fast-growing community, and it is essential we provide facilities like this so our people can participate and enjoy healthy sport and recreation.
In particular Cr Foster commended the work of council officers who designed and had managed the construction of the project.
“With the contractors and everyone who has worked on the project, they have done an outstanding job, and I am confident this facility will quickly become a high-standard regional hub for sport and recreational activities.
“The development aligns with Brighton Municipality’s recently released 2050 vision, which focuses on a range of major themes, in the sports centre’s case on ‘a good life at every age’ and ‘a thriving place’,” Cr Foster said.
