Sod turned on new Princess Park WB Hunter Pavilion

In Summary

Construction has commenced on the new Princess Park WB Hunter Pavilion, following the official turning of the first sod.
The original pavilion, built in 1965, was damaged in the 2022 flood event and deemed unfit for use, with temporary facilities provided to user groups since that time.
The new $4.5 million pavilion will include modern, flood-resilient facilities that meet AFL, Netball Victoria and Cricket Victoria requirements and is being jointly funded by Council, local sporting clubs and partner organisations.
The project was identified as the top priority in the 2019 Princess Park Future Directions Plan and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

Construction of the new pavilion will now commence by Moretto Building, with the pavilion a welcome addition providing a modern space for community sport. Greater Shepparton City Council worked closely alongside user groups to develop the design, ensuring the final space is centred around the needs of user groups while ensuring a cost effective and practical facility.

The original WB Hunter Pavilion served as a gathering place and a home for generations of AFL, netball and cricket players and supporters since 1965. Unfortunately, the clubrooms were inundated with water during the 2022 flood event and subsequently deemed unfit for use. Since this time, user groups have had access to temporary portable facilities, including Rapid Deploy changerooms, thanks to AFL Victoria.

While the temporary changerooms have served user groups well, Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali, said it was fantastic to now see construction begin on the new WB Hunter Pavilion.

“The new pavilion will play an important role in bringing people together at Princess Park and ensuring grassroots community sport can be enjoyed by everyone. Council understands the importance of sport, and we are proud to continue investing in our local facilities,” he said.

“The history of the new WB Hunter Pavilion spans back many years, with the 2019 Princess Park Future Directions Plan and Master Plan identifying a new pavilion as the top priority. This priority has never wavered. From design to consultation, every step was deliberate, thoughtful, and centred around what our user groups needed most.”

The new WB Hunter Pavilion will include change rooms, trainers’ rooms and amenities that meet both AFL, Netball Victoria and Cricket Victoria requirements, a large social room with commercial kitchen and glass frontage views over the oval, umpires’ facilities, 3m wide undercover veranda area, along with tiered seating and a grassy mound to take advantage of the elevated views for spectators. The new pavilion will be built above the flood level, ensuring long-term resilience for decades to come.

The $4.5 million project will be jointly funded by Council, Shepparton Swans Football Netball Club and the Shepparton Youth Club United Cricket Club.

“The Shepparton Swans and the Shepparton Youth Club United Cricket Club have been unwavering in their advocacy, commitment, and financial support. They both have committed a substantial financial contribution to bring this new pavilion to life which is a testament to them and the strength of their clubs,” Cr Sali said.

“AFL Victoria has contributed $50,000 through their Facilities Fund, which we are incredibly grateful for. Cricket Shepparton and Cricket Victoria have also provided ongoing support which is a true testament to the power of grassroots sport within our region.”

Cr Fern Summer, Yanha Gurtji Ward, said Princess Park played an important role in the region’s sporting community, providing a space for AFL, netball and cricket players and supporters to come together.

“We thank user groups for their patience and understanding while we worked through the new design of the WB Hunter Pavilion. The new space will provide a place to come together, celebrate our region’s sporting community and serve as a hub for players and supporters,” she said.

“It is great to be able to now turn the first sod on a facility that will serve generations to come.”

The new pavilion is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. To keep up to date with the works or to subscribe to project updates, visit our webpage here.