A CAST of Eaglehawk sporting and community groups will soon have access to an unused section of the Wes Vine building at Truscott Reserve.
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Eaglehawk Soccer Club has received a $18,700 federal government grant to install a disability lift to give the community access to the building's first floor.
The lift was donated by Girton Grammar, but extra funds were required to install and certify it in its new home.
"Once installed the lift will open up access to what has been an unused section of the building," Bendigo MP Lisa Chesters said.
"Not only will it improve space for the many existing users groups, it is also expected to be utilised by the wider community."
The building is used by 15 sporting and community groups, including the soccer club and Chiko Rollers roller derby team.
It will also be the venue for the Bendigo Orchid Club's annual show on October 7-9.
Eaglehawk Soccer Club's Ben Pengelly said the upstairs section had been off limits for three years for not being Disability Discrimination Act compliant.
"Once we get the lift in it will be all systems go as part of the soccer club's pans ot develop this hall on behalf of the community," he said.
"It's not just for us, it's for everyone in the community," he said.
"The funding helps finish the building and open its up for everybody.
"Technically it's only allowed to be used for storage right now."
The hall is regularly booked by football-netball clubs for their annual balls and netball clubs for training.
Other potential users include the Bendigo Gem Club and Antiques Society.
Ms Chesters said a lot of volunteer hours had gone into the total $57,000 project.
“This project demonstrates what can be achieved with a lot of hard work and cooperation between volunteers, club members and all levels of government,” she said.
“And the end result is just fantastic for the whole community.
“I am very pleased the Stronger Communities program has been able to make this vital contribution to see the job finished.”
The grant funds were sourced from the government's Stronger Communities Program, with the remainder coming from community donations and community enterprise Empowering Eaglehawk.