New female-friendly change rooms opened late last month at Stawell’s Central Park.

The upgrades aim to increase female participation in sport and include improvements to foyer space, lift access to first-floor level, the rearrangement of ground-floor change rooms, trainer and umpire rooms, a first-aid room, an accessible toilet, additional storage areas and other amenities.

The $2.1-million works were funded by the State Government’s Local Sport and Infrastructure Fund, $800,000; the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program, $655,000; Northern Grampians Shire Council, $655,000; and Stawell Football Netball Club, $35,000.

Central Park hosts Stawell Football Netball Club and Swifts-Great Western Cricket Club throughout the year, as well as the annual Stawell Gift.

The upgrade works bring the ground in line with AFL guidelines.

Northern Grampians mayor Rob Haswell said the works would benefit the Stawell community.

“The council worked extensively with community stakeholders on this project and the future needs of the community were central to our discussion,” he said.

“We have brought the facility up to current standards and have ensured that disability access standards are met. 

“The lift and its entry and exit spaces have capacity for stretcher access also.”

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