A significant construction milestone was reached in recent weeks, with the completion of the floor slab, verandah slab and structural steel installation, providing a clear indication of the scale and presence of the new facility. The pavilion is already making a strong impression on the landscape, overlooking the precinct and showcasing the future home of grassroots sport and community activity.
Roof installation and internal framing will commence in the coming weeks, marking the next exciting stage of the project as construction continues to advance.
Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali, said it was an exciting milestone to see the structure of the facility, with the steel frame showcasing the true size and scale of the project.
"The new WB Hunter Pavilion is quickly taking shape, and you can already see the true size and significant scale of the building. It’s already an impressive looking pavilion and once complete it will play an integral role in community sport at Princess Park, serving generations of local sporting clubs, players, volunteers and supporters,” he said.
“Council has worked closely with the user groups, including the Shepparton Swans Football Netball Club and the Shepparton Youth Club United Cricket Club, throughout the planning and delivery of this project.
“We understand how important the facility is to their clubs, and we are extremely proud to be delivering a facility which brings their vision for the site to reality.”
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.
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 is built above flood level, ensuring long-term resilience for decades to come.
The $4.5 million project is jointly funded by Council, Shepparton Swans Football Netball Club and the Shepparton Youth Club United Cricket Club.
“Once complete, the new pavilion will provide modern, fit-for-purpose facilities for local sporting clubs and the wider community, ensuring Princess Park remains a premier destination for grassroots sport and recreation,” Cr Sali said.
Cr Fern Summer, Yanha Gurtji Ward, said it was fantastic to see the project progressing.
“The new pavilion is much more than a sporting facility. It will be a place where people come together, build connections and create lasting memories,” she said.
“Seeing the structure now standing over Princess Park really highlights the positive impact this project will have on our clubs and broader community for many years to come.”
Construction is continuing, with project completion expected in early 2027. Further updates will be provided as the project progresses.
For more information, visit the project's web page.
