The Wilf Cox Community Complex is scheduled to undergo major works.
Photo by
Jemma Jones
Campaspe Shire Council has not ruled out delaying the $3.2 million redevelopment of the Wilf Cox Community Complex after receiving a request for “more time” from Kyabram Recreation Reserve user groups and a recently appointed community group.
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The project is scheduled to begin in late February/early March, but Kyabram Football Netball Club has asked council to delay work until at least July 31 to minimise disruption to its home games and fundraising activities.
Under the July 31 scenario, the club would have to move only one home game, against Echuca, with Rochester Football Netball Club a potential host of the fixture.
Club president John Guinan expressed concern that closing the complex for an entire season, the council’s original intent, would have severe financial consequences.
“Without access to the facility our club could lose up to $150,000 in revenue, which is nearly half of its annual turnover,” he said.
Mr Guinan said he understood the complicated nature of the project, emphasising the difficulty of balancing the redevelopment’s long-term benefits with the immediate challenges it would create for the club.
The Wilf Cox Community Group, a newly formed representative body for the user groups, has been leading negotiations with council.
“We fully appreciate and support the work of the Wilf Cox Community Group,” Mr Guinan said.
‘’They came on board to represent us in this matter and offer a level of expertise and understanding, which has really assisted us in negotiating with council.
The complex, which opened in 1985, is a vital community asset.
Photo by
Jemma Jones
“We just don’t feel we’ve been sufficiently consulted on the build timeline and design component.
“We would love more time to discuss this with council.’’
The group, which includes former local government officials, businessmen and club board members, is desperate to ensure that the winter schedule at the reserve is not interrupted by the construction.
They are aligned with the user groups in not opposing the project, but are focused on reducing its impact on the football/netball club’s operations between April and August.
The group also raised concerns that the redevelopment did not address significant issues with the complex’s roof and kitchen.
The building, which was opened in 1985, has been a vital community asset for decades, and the group believes these unaddressed problems should be included in the current renovation plans.
Council director of communities Jo Bradshaw clarified that the $3.2 million project was designed to meet specific criteria focused on equity and inclusion, including upgrades to female-friendly change rooms and improved umpire facilities.
“We applied for the grant which focused on equity and inclusion, with specific criteria based around female change rooms,’’ she said.
‘’If we hadn’t satisfied that criteria we would not have been successful in securing the $1 million grant.
“Council’s $2.2 million support is conditional on having that $1 million from the grant.’’
The $1 million state grant secured for the project was contingent on addressing these needs, and additional issues such as the roof and kitchen were not part of the grant’s focus.
Mrs Bradshaw explained that the council had worked with various stakeholders, including the football and netball clubs, cricket club and Sport and Recreation Victoria, to design a comprehensive upgrade.
The project’s key elements include improving accessibility, through the installation of a lift, and improving change room facilities to cater to a broader range of users.
While council recognised the concerns of the user groups, it said it was constrained by the timeline attached to the state funding, which requires the project to be completed by August 2026.
Despite these constraints, Ms Bradshaw acknowledged there would never be an ideal time to undertake such a significant upgrade.
“There is never going to be a good time to update a facility like this,” she said.
To mitigate the impact on the Kyabram Football Netball Club, council has offered to provide temporary change rooms and allow the user groups to work with council’s festival and events team to develop fundraising ideas.
The club’s concern about the impact on fundraising is particularly pressing, as hosting events in the complex is a vital source of income.
Ms Bradshaw indicated that the football oval and netball courts would remain operational during the works at the Wilf Cox Community Complex, which are expected to take 10 to 12 months, and suggested that the Northern Oval could be used as an alternative venue for some events.
While the Wilf Cox Community Group and Kyabram Recreation Reserve user groups seek a delay, council is moving forward with plans to appoint a contractor at its February 18 meeting.
Ms Bradshaw said the project was ready to proceed, but said council would continue working with the club and community representatives to find a workable solution.
“In a perfect world we would get a brand new complex, but that is not the case. Council officers will continue working with the club and representative group to reach an outcome,” she said.
The community’s attachment to the Wilf Cox Community Complex is strong, especially considering its historical significance.
The building, named after a club legend, was constructed with contributions from the Kyabram Football Netball Club ($150,000) and has been a cornerstone of the town’s sporting and social life for 40 years.
