Council to ‘work with user groups’ during Wilf Cox Pavilion redevelopments

Mayor Daniel Mackrell informed the Free Press that contractors would take over the building on July 31, aiming to complete construction by August 2026 to meet the $1 million Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund grant deadline.

The upgrades feature two netball change rooms and amenities, umpires’ rooms, an accessible toilet and an internal lift for wheelchair access to upper levels of the pavilion.

One of the aims is to make the existing facilities a “female-friendly environment”.

Cr Mackrell said council was “restrained by the existing building” and the upgrades consisted of “internal alterations” to make the building more accessible to all users.

He said “extensive consultation” had been undertaken since 2017 with user groups such as the Kyabram Cricket Club, Kyabram Football Netball Club, St Augustine’s Junior Football Club and Kyabram Junior Football Netball Club.

He emphasised that the new upgrades not only complied with AFL, Netball Victoria and Cricket Victoria facility guidelines but also aligned with council’s progressive Fair Access Policy.

Part of the passed motion at the council meeting included the possibility for consultation with the user groups through ‘stage two’ of the upgrades.

Cr Mackrell said council officers would consult “nominated representatives from user groups” throughout the process of stage two.

Additionally, council will continue to monitor whether “appropriate funding opportunities” arise for stage two, in the form of state and federal grants, and if “council determines it as a priority” it will apply.

Will construction impact sporting seasons?

Sports will continue as usual, with minor adjustments to available spaces for patrons and slight modifications to the season’s game schedule.

The upgrades will affect the last three rounds for the KFNC and impact only one home game for the Bombers during the 2025 GVL season, which will be the round 17 clash with Echuca on August 16.

The works will impact the start of the 2026 GVL season, but the project is expected to be completed to allow for a few home games later in the season when the pavilion is accessible.

The cricket season will not be altered despite the pavilion being unavailable, as the ground, the Jack Stone Grandstand and the rest of the reserve remain accessible.

Cr Mackrell said council was willing to provide support to the cricket users during the 2025/26 season “where possible”.

Council officers have engaged with Wilf Cox user group representatives to identify suitable alternative locations for the project’s duration, ensuring minimal disruption to activities.

“This would ensure the facilities were available and of a suitable standard for home games, and holding social events to support sponsors (hotels, restaurants, clubs etc) by hosting fundraising and social events at the club’s sponsor establishments,” Cr Mackrell said.

He said council officers had suggested hosting training and social functions at the Kyabram Northern Oval and collaborations with Lancaster and Tongala football netball clubs to utilise their ovals for KFNC home games.

“Council is happy to work with the club, the league and other partners to see if this could be accommodated through temporary facilities at Kyabram or to explore if a fixture swap may be possible,” he said.

“In regard to the 2026 season, council will work with the users and the leagues to enable a smooth transition into the 2026 season.”