A crowd, including Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick and Member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain, attend the official opening of the new Barclay Street Sportsground and Community Pavilion in Eden. Photo: BVSC.
It has been a long time coming, but a new pavilion has opened in Eden – and the community is enthusiastic about the possibilities the facilities afford.
Bega Valley Shire Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick officially opened the Barclay Street Pavilion in late April, surrounded by a crowd of local sports club members, spectators and community members.
“The Barclay Street Pavilion is a great example of what can be achieved by a dedicated group of stakeholders, with strong cross-community support,” he said.
Eden Whalers AFL Club president Liam Wilkinson said it was exciting to have it open, especially when comparing it to what the community used to have.
“It’s great, it’s exciting. It’s good the whole community can use it,” he said.
Secretary and treasurer for the Eden Whalers Nicole Crowe said the footy club had been pushing for the pavilion on and off for 15 years, but it was only in the last five that it appeared like it would come to fruition.
“It’s great; we’re very happy with how it turned out,” she said.
“It’s going to be a great asset for the town.”
Ms Crowe said the pavilion had change rooms, a commercial kitchen and canteen, toilets, a social space that seated about 70 people with timber floors donated by Forestry and big TVs and a PA system.
She said the old rooms had no toilets, so people would have to use the public toilets near the beach.
When asked what the new pavilion would offer the sports clubs, she said “it’s giving us our own space”.
The new Barclay Street Pavilion has been officially opened. Photo: BVSC Facebook.
Ms Crowe said after games in previous years, players would head out to the pub or clubs, but now they could hold their own functions in the rooms.
“From what I have seen from my years of footy in the area, these are probably the best facilities that any of the grounds have up and down the coast,” Ms Crowe said.
The pavilion will service the local cricket, soccer, Australian rules, netball and tennis clubs and will also be available for a range of community uses and events.
Mayor Fitzpatrick said a lot of hard work and goodwill had been given by the user groups and council appreciated the efforts of all involved in delivering a great outcome.
He thanked the many who contributed to making the project possible.
The new pavilion is a key element in the Barclay Street Sportsground master plan. This includes improvements to the soccer clubhouse and facilities, a significant upgrade to the skatepark, the construction of a new all-inclusive play space and an improved driveway entrance and car parking.
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