Dandenong’s newest sports pavilion will help even more footballers and cricketers take the field, thanks to support from the Victorian Government.

Member for Dandenong Gabrielle Williams today joined City of Greater Dandenong Mayor, Cr Eden Foster, AFL Victoria, the St Mary’s Cricket Club and St Johns Old Collegians Football Club to officially open the WJ Crowe Pavilion, supported by $500,000 from the Victorian Government.

Works at Thomas Carroll Reserve included demolishing the previous pavilion and replacing it with a modern, female friendly and accessible sporting facility.

The pavilion includes new multipurpose social and meeting rooms. These are perfect for hosting club or community functions and will cement the new pavilion as a modern community sports hub in Dandenong.

The pavilion now also offers four female friendly change rooms, two umpires’ change rooms, a timekeepers’ room, canteen and accessible public toilets.

These upgrades mean that the Saints and Old Collegians can welcome more participants into their programs, offering them a home ground to get the most out of their game.

The Victorian Budget 2023-24 is providing $213 million to deliver and improve community sports infrastructure and support initiatives that boost participation and inclusion in local sports clubs and organisations.

It’s part of the more than $1.9 billion invested in community sport and active recreation infrastructure since 2014.

Gabrielle Williams MP acknowledged Greater Dandenong City Council and AFL Victoria for their commitment and respective contributions of $5.4 million and $100,000 to the pavilion.

New sports lighting is also on the way for the reserve’s eastern oval thanks to another Victorian Government investment of over $129,000.

For more information about how the Victorian Government is funding community sport, visit sport.vic.gov.au/grants-and-funding.

Quotes attributable to Member for Dandenong Gabrielle Williams

“With the completion of the WJ Crowe Pavilion, we’re bringing two local clubs under one roof and making Thomas Carroll Reserve an exciting sporting hub for the community.”

“These new facilities will mean the Saints and the Old Collegians can expand and develop their programs to get more people, particularly women and girls, in on the action.”

“Facilities like these make it easier for Victorians to get involved, connect with others, and be active as they take part in community sport and recreation.”