By JESSE GRAHAM
THE MULTI-MILLION dollar redevelopment of a Marysville community asset officially opened on the weekend, with the community coming out to celebrate.
The Marysville Community Golf and Bowls Club was opened in a community event on Saturday 6 September by Deputy Premier and Leader of the Nationals Peter Ryan and Seymour MP and Eildon Candidate, Cindy McLeish.
Mr Ryan said the redevelopment, which cost $2 million, was another positive milestone for the town in its recovery from the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.
He said the club was one of the few buildings that survived the bushfires, and became a key meeting point during the early stages of the recovery.
“The Coalition Government was keen to support the redevelopment of this important local facility as part of our commitment to supporting the town during its recovery,” Mr Ryan said.
The works were funded with $1.45 million from the State Government, $523,213 from the Marysville and Triangle Community Bushfire Relief Fund and the Marysville Community Golf and Bowls Club, which contributed the balance – around $27,000.
As a result of the works, the club now boasts a new members’ lounge, meeting room, bar, lobby, kitchen, restrooms, outdoor decking, shop, and a function room that can fit 300 people.
The result, according to Mr Ryan, was “a truly wonderful facility that the whole community can be proud of.”
Marysville Lions Club president, Graham Taylor, attended the opening, and said it was heartening to see the amount of community members present.
“The end result is fantastic,” he said.
“It’s great for Marysville, great for the golf club and great for attracting tourism to the region – congratulations to everyone.”
Ms McLeish said the new club buildings, along with the $28 million Vibe Hotel and Conference Centre, would bring an economic boost to the town.
