Griff Hunt gets a makeover
Published on 22 February 2022
The revitalised Griff Hunt Sporting Pavilion was officially opened on Thursday 17 February by Councillor Mike Symon, Mayor of Maroondah and Sonja Terpstra, Member for Eastern Metropolitan Region, representing the Minister for Community Sport, the Hon. Ros Spence.
Maroondah councillors, sporting club members and members of the community were also in attendance.
Beginning in 2019, Council successfully obtained funding through Sport and Recreation Victoria's 2019/20 Community Sports Infrastructure Fund for new lighting and the addition of female-friendly change rooms at Griff Hunt Reserve.
The funding provided the opportunity to increase the capacity of the existing facility to meet the growing demand for Rugby and Soccer in Maroondah.
The $1.2 million project involved the addition of female-friendly change rooms, renovation of the multipurpose space, improvements to accessibility as well as the installation of a new roof and exterior renovations.
New LED sportsfield lighting to the Griff Hunt pitches was also installed to improve visibility for night and low-light games.
Design works for the Sporting Pavilion were finalised in early 2020, with renovations starting after the sporting season ended in August 2020.
Cr Mike Symon, Mayor of Maroondah, officially opened the pavilion, saying the works would make a huge difference to the Maroondah Rugby Club which call the pavilion home.
“The upgrades made to the pavilion and lighting will continue to grow the club membership and increase participation of Rugby in Maroondah. The unisex facilities are also a great addition to encourage female involvement in the sport,” Cr Symon said.
The renovations are a welcomed update by the Maroondah Rugby Club. Established in 1972, the Maroondah Griffins have played at Griff Hunt Reserve since 1977.
President Lance Dunn of the Maroondah Rugby Club and President Wendy Scott of Maroondah United Football Club at the official opening of the Gruff Hunt Sporting Pavilion.
President of the Maroondah Rugby Club, Lance Dunn, said the upgrades were the next step for the Club.
“The revitalised Griff Hunt Pavilion provides our players with up-to-date change rooms that have well-planned toilet and shower facilities. It also provides spectators with up-to-date toilet facilities.
Interior of Griff Hunt Sporting Pavilion.
“The upgraded lighting will also provide our players better lighting to train under, as well as the possibility of hosting night games,” said Mr Dunn.
The lighting installation was one of the biggest parts of the refurbishment, mounting six, 27 metre-high lighting poles and 150 lux LED lighting on the 520 metre field to meet the Australian Standards for Sportsfield lighting.
Similar lighting upgrades were recently completed at Silcock Reserve, Quambee Reserve and Cheong Park oval.
The lighting upgrades will provide further opportunities for the Rugby club.
The refurbishments will also be the backdrop for a milestone in Maroondah Rugby Club’s history.
“The 2022 season brings Maroondah Rugby Club the opportunity to celebrate our 50th birthday, postponed from last year. We have planned a dinner to be held at the end of March with past players attending,” Mr Dunn said.
Now in the swing of the sporting season, the pavilion can expect many keen green-and-white ̶ striped players and supporters to pass through its doors.
“We are optimistic that this part-refurbishment of Griff Hunt Pavilion is just the start for our club to enjoy some growth in playing numbers in seniors, masters, juniors and eventually a women’s team.
“We are also competing in Premiership Reserves in Rugby Victoria competition as well as fielding a masters side and a couple of junior sides,” said Mr Dunn.
Cr Marijke Graham, Councillor of Barngeong Ward in which Griff Hunt Reserve resides, was delighted with the revitalisation of the Pavilion.
Sonja Terpstra, Member for Eastern Metropolitan Region, Cr Marijke Graham of Barngeong Ward and Cr Mike Symon, Mayor of Maroondah at the official opening of the new Griff Hunt Sporting Pavilion.
“I am so pleased with the refurbishments of the Griff Hunt Pavilion and lighting. The upgrades will allow more of our community to get involved in rugby and enjoy the open spaces of Griff Hunt Reserve.
“The Maroondah Rugby Club is an important part of Barngeong’s rich sporting community and history, and I can only hope that it has another 50 prosperous years at Griff Hunt Reserve,” Cr Graham said.
Along with Maroondah Rugby Club, Maroondah United Football Club will use the facilities for their club as an overflow training base. The lighting improvements made now ensure both fields are well lit, doubling the usage of the grounds for these clubs.
The pavilion is currently the temporary home of South Croydon Cricket Club while the Cheong Pavilion and sportsfield is refurbished and redeveloped.
Griff Hunt Reserve is located on Lyons road in Croydon North.
Find out more about Griff Hunt Reserve
Stay up to date with Maroondah eNews
The Maroondah eNews is distributed fortnightly via email and includes the latest news, project updates and what's happening in and around Maroondah.
Subscribe to Maroondah eNews