The Bendigo Football Netball League wants upgraded facilities at the QEO for players, officials and spectators.
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The QEO underwent a $2.2 million face lift in 2010-11, which included works on the ground surface and drainage, terraced seating at the Barnard Street end of the ground and a new electronic scoreboard.
Netball facilities and upgrades to the View Street toilets were not included.
“The QEO is our premier regional facility and we are working with the City of Greater Bendigo to develop more infrastructure so that our finals and other major events can be better staged and benefit all sports, including women’s football and cricket,’’ BFNL chair Dr Carol McKinstry said in a statement.
“We have regularly met with council about facilities for netball and football, including those at the QEO. The council have recently funded the feasibility stage for phase two of the QEO development to improve the kiosk, public toilets and provide more shelter.
“The BFNL are aware that the facilities for women at the QEO are lacking with change rooms and toilet facilities not being adjacent to the netball courts.”
City of Greater Bendigo acting active and healthy communities manager Lincoln Fitzgerald said upgrading facilities for female sport was high on council’s agenda.
“Last year we installed new netball courts and change rooms at Canterbury Park,’’ Fitzgerald said.
“We have installed dual change rooms at soccer clubs because of the increased participation rate for women and girls.
“We are also converting the shower block at the old Dower Park caravan park into netball change rooms. Part of the master plan at Dower Park is to build two new netball courts on the old caravan park site.”
Fitzgerald said the toilet block and kiosk on the View Street side of the QEO would be upgraded.
“This year we will be looking to have a detailed designed complete and ready for construction in future financial years,’’ he said. “That area (of the QEO) will be much more welcoming.”
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