THE grand opening of a brand-new pavilion at Civic Reserve in Mornington has finally been revealed, providing a huge boost to local sporting clubs. The $10.5 million facility, positioned between the athletics track and the soccer field, features four new female-friendly change rooms, umpires’ change rooms, a kitchen, a multi-use social space, a first aid room, meeting space and storage areas.
Mount Martha Soccer Club, Mornington Peninsula Athletics Club, and Mornington Little Athletics Centre will all call the new pavilion home, benefiting 900 members between them. It is the first time the Little Athletics Centre has had proper facilities for a long time, having only had a permanent peninsula base for the past five years.
An opening ceremony was held on 13 February with Eastern Victoria MP Tom McIntosh, Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Anthony Marsh, deputy mayor Cr Paul Pingiaro and club representatives gathering for the event.
McIntosh said the new building provided the perfect base for the clubs to increase local memberships, train, compete, and develop programs at the ground. “These volunteer-run clubs are an integral part of the community, and they deserve modern facilities they can be proud of,” he said. “The female friendly pavilion opens up more opportunities for participation and provides the perfect foundation for local clubs to grow, and for the community to host big events.”
“It was a pleasure to officially open the new pavilion, which will serve both the athletics track and soccer fields, benefiting over 900 members,” said Marsh. “This fantastic community asset features change rooms, storage rooms, and a large social space where club members can come together.”
Mornington Little Athletics Centre treasurer Todd Martin said it was a huge win for their club. “Mornington Little Athletics has been operating for 55 years, but until five years ago we didn’t have a permanent home on the Peninsula,” he said. “With the construction of the track five years ago, and now with the pavilion, we’ll have somewhere to call home, which is a big thing for our centre. “With between 250 and 350 kids running around every Saturday morning, it’s fantastic to have this pavilion now as a home for our club.”
The shire invested $6.5 million towards the project with the state government providing $4 million through the Community Sport Infrastructure Stimulus program.
First published in the Mornington News – 18 February 2025
