Skinner Reserve – proposed redevelopment
Published on 10 December 2020
A proposal to upgrade Skinner Reserve, Braybrook into a high quality sport and recreation facility for the use of local sports clubs, the Western Bulldogs Football Club, and the general community was endorsed in principle at Tuesday night’s Ordinary Council Meeting – pending consultation with the local community.
The Council is interested to understand the community’s thinking on the proposal before any firm commitment is made to proceed.
The proposed upgrade would involve the redevelopment of the existing field to a high quality grass surface, sand-based oval, comparable to the size and scale of Marvel Stadium with renewed local level fence-line and interchange benches; the construction of a two-lane running track inside the fence line, plus lighting to allow local night competition and training; AFL standard goal posts with protective goal netting, and improved spectator amenities and landscaped surrounds.
The improvements, specifically to the quality of the reserve surface, would more than double the amount of time sports clubs are able to use the facility – from the 10-15 hours currently to up to 35 hours per week (in addition to casual use). The Western Bulldogs Football Club would use the space as a second training facility for approximately 12 hours per week over three nights.
Mayor, Cr Michael Clarke, said this is a great opportunity to upgrade a much loved community space.
“Skinner Reserve is the heart of Braybrook, but is in desperate need of repair. Through a partnership approach with the Western Bulldogs, we have an opportunity to create high quality sport and recreation facilities, we would otherwise not be able to deliver, that would remain available for local Club use as well as being open and available to the broader community for informal leisure activities.
“We have spoken with the existing tenant clubs about the redevelopment, and they have all provided in principle support for the proposal. But this conversation is far from over, and we will continue to speak to whole community to understand their appetite for the proposal as well.”
Council will be sharing more information on the proposal over the coming weeks before seeking formal feedback in the New Year with a further report incorporating community feedback to be considered in 2021.