A new $9.6 million sports centre opened at Mernda on Friday has been dubbed the ‘Etihad of the North’.
Whittlesea mayor Steven Kozmevski, federal McEwen MP Rob Mitchell and Mernda Football and Netball Club members turned out for the opening at the Breadalbane Avenue centre last week.
The sprawling facility features two football ovals with lighting, a netball court, a half basketball court and a mixed-use community pavilion.
Clubs were invited to train there for the first time last July, but the official opening was held off until the pavilion was completed this year. The pavilion includes women’s change and umpires’ facilities.
Cr Kozmevski said the Waterview Recreation reserve was a “much needed facility”.
“Sports facilities such as this are important hubs for providing essential services to our community. As Mernda is home to nearly 17,000 residents, and counting, this centre is a wonderful place to bring the community together under one roof.”
All three levels of government chipped in for the $3.73million pavilion. The federal government gave $2.5million, the state government $708,333 and Whittlesea council $522,667. Contracts were awarded last August and construction started just a month later.
Cr Kozmevski said user clubs had already reported an increase in membership.
“No sooner had the temporary fences been taken down, the local community came out to play,” he said.
“This project is a true example of our commitment to providing community facilities that fosters equitable, inclusive and safe family friendly environments,” Cr Kozmevski said.
