Cardinia Shire Council officially opened the new Holm Park Recreation Reserve in Beaconsfield on Saturday.

The $12.2 million sport and recreation facility on Beaconsfield-Emerald Rd has been jointly funded by Council, the State Government and Beaconsfield Football Club.

Council contributed $9.6 million to the project, with the State Government providing another $1 million through the Community Facilities for Growth Areas fund, and $1 million through Sport and Recreation Victoria’s Community Facility Funding Program. Beaconsfield Football Club dedicated an additional $660,000 to the project.

A large and enthusiastic crowd attended the opening, which coincided with Casey Cardinia Football League’s first games of the season.

Cardinia Shire Mayor Councillor Brett Owen spoke at the opening, along with the Member for Gembrook, Brad Battin MP and the President of Beaconsfield Football Club, David Van Lambaart.

“This state-of-the-art sporting facility is one of the finest in Victoria,” Cr Owen said.

“Council is fully committed to giving Cardinia Shire residents the facilities they need to become as active, healthy and connected to each other as possible. We hope this will become an important place in the heart of our local community.”

Cr Owen thanked the State Government and Beaconsfield Football Club for their significant funding contributions, saying they had made the project possible.

The Reserve was established with high levels of consultation and cooperation with users, especially Beaconsfield Football Club.

Cr Owen praised the club’s “astonishing efforts and amazing community spirit. Its large financial commitment and the many hours of labour donated by its supporters have been vital to this project becoming a reality.”

The Reserve features three ovals, car parking, two dedicated netball courts, and a main pavilion with change rooms, toilets, two umpire’s rooms, a first aid room, two canteens, and a commercial kitchen. This pavilion also features two meeting rooms and a State Government funded community room, all available for booking by the public.

The Reserve has high levels of environmental sustainability and meets enhanced disability standards.

In the future, two dual purpose netball and tennis courts, another pavilion, a skate park, four cricket nets, a passive play area and a playground will also be added to the Reserve.

Many sporting organisations in the Shire will benefit from the facility, including Beaconsfield Football Club, Beaconsfield and Upper Beaconsfield Cricket Clubs, and Beaconsfield Tennis, Netball, Junior Football and Superules Football Clubs.