Derelict building needs overhaul

Front: president of the Recreation Reserve committee Paul Utting, president of the Football and Netball Club Chris Mitchell. Back: MP Edward O'Donohue, Junior Football Club president Ken Beecroft, chairman of Monbulk Community Bank Leo Koelewyn, president of Monbulk Cricket Club Chris Defina and Monbulk candidate Mark Verschuur. Picture: MELISSA MEEHAN

By MELISSA MEEHAN

IT’S a shell of its former self.
The pavilion at Monbulk Reserve might look OK from the outside, but inside it’s in desperate need of an overhaul.
On Friday, Liberal candidate for Monbulk Mark Verschuur announced that a re-elected Napthine Government would deliver $500,000 towards a new community sports pavilion.
“Investing in our local sporting facilities is crucial because it means we are investing in the future of our young people,” Mr Verschuur said.
“Not only do our local football, netball and cricket clubs encourage young people to be active and healthy, they help build stronger and more engaged communities.”
President of the Monbulk Recreation Reserve Development Group Paul Utting, said the funding would go a long way to transform old facilities.
He said the group had been working on the project for four years and had been working with council to secure the funding.
“It’s important for our female participants because there are no female change rooms,” he said.
“This funding will give us the opportunity to open up the reserve and make it a more inviting place for the community.”
He said the building’s shell looked deceivingly modern, but the façade hid the true age and poor condition of the rooms inside.
“The front of the building is 10 years old, but the back is 50-60 years old and too bad to renovate it,” he said.
“We’re looking forward to working with the three clubs to deliver a state of the art facility, like the one in Olinda.”