Work will begin later this year on a new pavilion at Thomastown’s Main Street Reserve, in a bid to boost female participation in sport.
The new pavilion will include female-friendly changerooms and bathrooms.
Whittlesea mayor Kris Pavlidis said the pavilion would be designed to be gender inclusive, featuring separate shower and bathroom areas.
“Traditionally, changeroom facilities at a sports club might only have the one open area or the one shower facility, and typically catered to male sporting teams,” she said.
“A sporting pavilion that doesn’t have any women’s changerooms is outdated and presents a clear barrier for women to participate in sport.”
The pavilion, which has been funded by the council and state government, will also feature a multi-purpose meeting space, kitchenette, public toilets, storage spaces and all abilities access.
Cr Pavlidis said she was very pleased the council was using gender inclusive design on all its new sport facilities, as well as making sure facilities catered for all abilities.
“Council has an important role to play in ensuring our community spaces are designed to be inclusive. This means considered thought into how a building is constructed and how safe and welcoming it is,” she said.
