The upgrade of Lords Reserve in Mansfield Shire has reached a significant milestone with construction officially beginning on the new Lords Pavilion and the opening of the newly renovated public toilet block. A small commemorative event was held to mark the occasion, attended by representatives from the Delatite Cricket Club, Mansfield Croquet Club, and Mansfield Football Netball Club, along with Victorian Senator Michelle Ananda-Rajah, Mayor Steve Rabie, and councillors Bonnie Clark and Tim Berenyi. The event highlighted the progress being made on a major community sports infrastructure project aimed at improving facilities for local clubs and residents.
The first completed stage of the project is the refurbished public toilet block, which is now open for public use. The upgrade included improvements to plumbing, electrical systems, and building materials, as well as the addition of a new accessible toilet. These enhancements have transformed the facility into a more modern, functional, and inclusive amenity for everyone who uses the reserve, reflecting a broader effort to improve accessibility and comfort in local sporting spaces.
Attention is now turning to the next phase of the project, which involves building a new spectator and club pavilion. The planned pavilion will include inclusive change rooms, accessible toilets, flexible social spaces, and much-needed storage areas. These additions are designed to better support the continued growth of community sport in Mansfield Shire and to ensure the reserve can meet the needs of modern sporting clubs, players, and spectators.
Mayor Steve Rabie described the milestones as an important win for the local sporting community and a clear sign of Mansfield Shire Council’s commitment to strengthening sport across the region. He said the new facilities reflect feedback from local clubs and residents who had called for infrastructure that better meets the demands of contemporary sport. According to the mayor, completing the first stage while beginning construction on the pavilion demonstrates the council’s focus on delivering practical, accessible, and future-ready infrastructure for community use.
Senator Michelle Ananda-Rajah also praised the council’s work, noting the significance of securing a highly competitive grant for the project. She highlighted that the council successfully applied for $1.4 million under the Australian Government’s Growing Regions Program at a time when the funding stream was new and highly contested, with more than 600 applications submitted. Her comments underscored the scale of the achievement and the importance of strong local government advocacy in delivering major community infrastructure.
The upgrades form part of the broader $2.12 million “Lords Around the Ground” package, funded through a $1.41 million grant from the Australian Government alongside a $710,000 contribution from Mansfield Shire Council. Construction of the new pavilion is expected to continue through to late 2026, with the project representing a major investment in the long-term resilience, accessibility, and development of sport in the Mansfield Shire community.
