The existing and outdated pavilion at Brierly Recreation Reserve will be demolished in the next week, marking the beginning of on-site work of Stage One of the redevelopment.
Design work is currently under way for an upgrade to the field of play on the eastern oval, which will incorporate two full-sized soccer pitches with a synthetic cricket wicket in between, allowing both Brierly Christ Church Cricket Club and Warrnambool Rangers Football Club to host matches at the venue.
The redevelopment also includes drainage, sub-surface irrigation, fencing and lighting with a capacity of 200 lux.
The construction of these elements will start later this year, and be completed in mid-2024.
In October 2022 the Victorian Government, through its Local Sports Infrastructure Fund, committed $1 million for the Stage One redevelopment of Brierly Reserve. Council will also contribute up to $1 million towards Stage One.
Warrnambool Mayor Cr Debbie Arnott said that partnerships were vital to deliver significant upgrades such as this.
“Without partnerships with the State Government, it’s a lot harder to get projects off the ground so we really appreciate their support,” she said.
“This is going to give this growing neighbourhood better amenity and encourage more people from across Warrnambool to play sport.
“As a Council we encourage good health, so it’s important to invest in recreation facilities. Exercise is not only good physically, it’s good mentally and it helps young people develop team spirit. Sport on any level is good for the community.”
Warrnambool Rangers coach and committee member Garrett Wyse said that the move to a new home venue at Brierly would be a huge boost for the club.
“They will be able to host NPL (National Premier League) games here, and the standard is so high that A-League teams can actually train,” he said.
“We’ve been very limited over the past years with how many could participate at training, and we’ll move to a level where basically any team that wants to train on any night the pitches will be available.
“The participation of the girls should increase, the participation of the teenagers should increase, but also with the Miniroos we have coming through, they will now see a great future with the club.
“Not just for us, but for when other teams visit, there will be state of the art pitches, and hopefully in the long term we can hold some competitions here.”
Brierly Christ Church Cricket Club Vice President Lachie Rooke said that the club was eagerly awaiting the upgrade.
“It’s really special,” he said.
"It’s going to mean a lot not only for the members involved now, but for future members as well.
“And just for the area too, it’s going to be huge for this end of town.
“And hopefully we can create a bit of a partnership (with Rangers) too and get some soccer kids into cricket and vice-versa.”
Brierly Christ Church Cricket Club Treasurer Matt Colla agreed that a redeveloped Brierly Reserve was great news for the local community.
“It’s a great thing for the community and a great thing for the area,” he said.
“We’ve got houses all around us now that we never had 20 years ago.
“We’ve been very excited about this day for a long time and the club will do very well with the new facilities.”
For more information about the project visit: www.warrnambool.vic.gov.au/brierly-recreation-reserve