Over 200 community members were joined by councillors from neighbouring towns, builders, architects, government representatives and local member Mia Davies MLA to enjoy the festivities.
The facility is a result of over five years of hard work and dedication from the Dowerin community. Driven by the Shire of Dowerin and the Dowerin Recreation Steering Committee, the project aimed to bring all sporting clubs in Dowerin together to one central location.
Plans included the construction of four new synthetic tennis courts, a 10-rink synthetic bowling green, a new cricket practice net facility and the construction of a clubhouse complete with change room facilities.
The first meeting of the Steering Committee took place in September 2008. The committee’s role was to engage and advise an architect, source external funds, select and advise a contractor and oversee the overall construction of the facility.
The group comprised of a representative from Bowls, Tennis, Cricket, Football, Hockey, Netball, Council, the Bowling & Amenities Club, Dowerin Events Management and also a community representative. This group assisted Council with the appointment of MCG Architects who guided the group through the concept planning stage onto the building plans and was then employed to project manage the construction of this facility.
Construction commenced in 2012 with completion of the last element, the bowling green, in August 2013. The facility already has an excellent membership base and has played host to local meetings, presentation evenings, footy fixtures and even a wedding!
The facility’s completion would not have been possible without the ongoing support of the community and therefore organisers of the grand opening saw no one better to officially open the facility than the community itself.
All community organisations and sporting clubs in Dowerin were asked to nominate a representative to help cut the ribbon and officially open the facility. Following short speeches, a blessing of the facility and the unveiling of the official plaque, 36 community representatives stepped forward, scissors in hand and cut the ribbon together – a great acknowledgement of what this facility is all about, the community working together to achieve great goals.
