Clubs and athletes are welcoming new female-friendly facilities at Golden Square Recreation Reserve.
The upgraded change rooms opened to players last year as part of a $2.3 million redevelopment, jointly funded by the City of Greater Bendigo, federal government and local sporting clubs.
Hayley McWilliams from the Golden Square Netball Club, said the facilities were in “dire need” of an uplift prior to the redevelopment taking place.
“They were pretty dated [and] not really fit for purpose anymore – falling apart and just in need of a really big facelift,” McWilliams said.
Liz Watson, who plays with Golden Square’s women’s football team, added that the old change rooms “felt like a male facility”.
“Even though we were happy to be here and had a sense of belonging at the club, you’d be constantly reminded that the building was out-of-date,” Watson said.
“You [had] open showers and urinals, and it just reminded you it was a very male-dominant environment.
“So to walk-in now and… feel a sense of real belonging and true equality is something special.”
The new change rooms feature private toilet and showering facilities, having been designed and constructed for use by both women’s and men’s teams playing netball, football and cricket.
McWilliams believes the upgrades will help encourage more women and girls to play for Golden Square’s sporting teams.
“Knowing they’re accessible to everyone… means that anyone who is choosing between two different clubs and was looking at the facilities to make that last decision, puts Golden Square back on an even playing field,” she said.
(Photo: Tom Parry)
Members of Golden Square FNC hosted a tour of the new change rooms on Monday, February 17th alongside Greater Bendigo’s Mayor, Councillor Thomas Prince and Federal Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters.
The Mayor said the upgraded facilities are a great outcome for women’s sport and “the growth of sport in general”.
“I can remember when I was here about two years ago, watching one of my friends play for the Golden Square Netball Club, and watching their team have to warm-up… some of them having to get changed to the side [of the netball court], outside – that doesn’t have to happen anymore,” Cr Prince said.
“They’re going to have change rooms that [are] their own, that they can get dressed comfortably [in], do their own thing, [and] have their own space.”
Ms Chesters said she is proud to see the new facilities being utilised.
“We want to encourage women to continue to play the sport that they love, and that means having the facilities that suit their needs,” she said.
“And it’s great to be able to partner with the City of Greater Bendigo to see these upgrades occurring across our region.”
The redevelopment is continuing at Wade Street, with Stage Two now underway.
While an exact date has not been set for the competition of Stage Two, Greater Bendigo council expects the latest revamp will be finished “by the end of May”.
